The Free Food Fridays program at Northside Community Centre regularly welcomes more than 60 local youth in Red Deer, helping them build friendships, connections, and community.
Free Food Fridays is a simple but powerful program that offers young people a place to learn, connect, and enjoy a free meal regardless of their financial situation. Katherine O’Neill, the new CEO and president of YMCA of Northern Alberta, says the program may be small, but its impact is significant. The YMCA operates the centre for the city, which opened in 2019.
The centre, located at Taylor Drive and 77th Street, offers child care, health and wellness programs, leadership and employment programs, and many amenities such as a gym, fitness studio, teaching kitchen, rooftop patio, and event rooms. Many children and teens use the centre. Last year alone, it was used more than 10,000 times for free activities such as after-school drop-ins, open gym time, life skills sessions, and Free Food Fridays. That number does not include the popular skate park mentorship program supported by Border Paving.
The centre’s children’s day camps welcomed 240 different kids last summer, and families were offered financial assistance if needed. The YMCA of Northern Alberta plans to continue supporting the community by offering programs for people of all ages now and in the future.
O’Neill is the first woman to lead the 118-year-old nonprofit and says more people are struggling financially, making support for families a top priority. With less government funding and tougher fundraising conditions, she hopes people will consider donating to the YMCA.
