Pilot Family YMCA

Week 7 🍎

This week, the YMCA of East Tennessee served 25,944 meals through our East Tennessee Grab & Go sites, YMCA Summer Day Camps, and community lunches at our outdoor pool.

Every week, families share messages of gratitude with us. This week, one story from a family in Rutledge especially touched our hearts (shared with permission):

"Hello, thank you so much for the food program. It's an enormous help.

Currently our family has undergone tremendous financial strain as on 6/4 they found a tumor, which was scheduled to be removed 7/7. We have not been able to get help with SNAP or TANF in any way, and without your program our girls would be without. As a parent missing many meals just to be sure the girls eat has been hard. Unfortunately Grainger County seems to be strained... We appreciate everything you do and are glad because it's not Knoxville. You don't exclude the children in the least from a program that is dire. The fact you offer it is amazing, and again thank you!"

This is why the YMCA serves communities far beyond our city limits. We work alongside schools, community partners, and local organizations to reach families in rural communities and other areas where the need is greatest.

This week, we're confident we'll surpass 200,000 meals served for the summer.

As we celebrate that milestone, we hope you'll remember that every single meal represents something much bigger than food; it represents hope, dignity, and one less child going hungry.

Thank you for supporting our YMCA and your neighbors across East Tennessee!

Week 6 of our Summer Food Program is in the books, and because of your support, 26,546 meals were served this week across 10 Grab & Go meal sites, 6 YMCA Summer Day Camps, and our community lunches at the Pilot Family YMCA Outdoor Pool.

That brings our summer total to an incredible 165,064 meals served!

From East Knox to Big Ridge, from Rutledge to communities across Union, Grainger, Blount, and Knox counties, we're intentionally reaching communities where families often live miles from the nearest full grocery store and where access to nutritious meals can be a challenge.

Thank you to our staff, volunteers, partners, donors, and supporters for helping us feed kids across East Tennessee!

Soak Up the Sunshine at the Pilot Family YMCA this Independence Day Weekend! ☀️🏊

Whether you're squeezing in a workout, relaxing by the pool, or celebrating with friends, we've got a fun weekend planned!

🕒 Holiday Hours
Friday, July 3
• Main Facility: Open until 10:00 PM
• Outdoor Pool: Open until 8:30 PM

Saturday, July 4
• Main Facility: Closed
• Outdoor Pool: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Sunday, July 5
• Main Facility: 1:00 PM-6:00 PM
• Outdoor Pool: 1:00 PM-5:30 PM
• Regular Sunday Group Fitness Schedule + ⭐ Stars, Stripes & Squats! Join Michelle from 4:00-5:00 PM for a special BodyPump Heavy Pop-Up class. Wear your red, white, and blue and bring the energy!

🌭 4th of July Cookout
Join us Saturday from 11:00 AM-2:00 PM at the Outdoor Pool for complimentary hot dogs, chips, water, and holiday fun! Feel free to wear your festive red, white, and blue!

💪 Don't forget: If you're a 24/7 Wellness Center Access member, you can still get your workout in anytime on the 4th—even while the main facility is closed.

We can't wait to celebrate with you. Have a safe, fun, and active Independence Day weekend! 🇺🇸❤️💙

Free Summer Meals at the Pilot Family Y Outdoor Pool!

Our Pilot Family YMCA is offering FREE daily meals for kids all summer long, and it’s truly open to everyone.

Who is eligible?
- ANYONE 18 and under. No exceptions.
- No YMCA membership required.
- No guest pass needed.
- No ID required.
- No income requirements.

When & Where:
📍 Outdoor Pool at the Pilot Family Y, 400 N. Winston Rd. Knoxville, TN 37909
📅 Monday–Friday
⏰ 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
☀️ All summer long

So far this summer, we've served 1,970 meals at our Pilot Y Outdoor Pool! Come as you are, bring your friends, and come eat with us!

Step into the Roaring Twenties for a night that changes lives.

🎉 Tickets are officially on sale for the 2nd Annual YMCA of East Tennessee Evening of Impact Gala!

📅 Thursday, September 10, 2026
🕕 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Riverview Family Farm

Put on your fringe, feathers, pearls, suspenders, or fedora and join us for an unforgettable evening featuring:
🎷 Live swing jazz & dancing
🎲 Fantasy casino games
🚗 Vintage Model A photo opportunities
🍽️ Heavy hors d'oeuvres & Riverview Farms ice cream
✨ Silent & live auctions, plus an inspiring paddle raise

Best of all, every ticket helps make YMCA programs like swim lessons, childcare, summer camp, and more accessible to local children and families through our Annual Campaign Financial Assistance Fund.

🎟️ Early Bird pricing is available July 1st–August 1st! Learn more and reserve your ticket at ymcaetn.org/events/evening-of-impact.

Own a business or know someone who does? Sponsorship opportunities are available and are a wonderful way to support families across East Tennessee while connecting with community leaders.

Let's celebrate, give back, and make an even bigger impact together.

All YMCA of East Tennessee locations will be CLOSED on July 4th, but the Outdoor Pool here at our Pilot Y will be your holiday celebration headquarters, open from 10am-4pm!

Don't want to miss your workout? Add 24-Hour Access to your membership to work out on the Pilot Y fitness floor 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Learn more at
ymcaetn.org/news/24hour.

Another week and thousands of summer meals reaching thousands of East Tennessee kids!

In Week 5 of our YMCA Summer Food Program, we served 27,865 meals across our 10 drive-through grab-and-go sites, 6 YMCA Summer Day Camp locations, and community lunches at the Pilot Y Outdoor Pool.

That brings our summer total to an incredible 138,518 meals... and counting!

Whether it's a camper enjoying lunch with friends or a parent picking up a week's worth of meals at one of our grab-and-go sites, every meal makes a real difference.

Want to be part of the impact?

👉 Volunteer at a grab-and-go site: https://qrco.de/bgiMQ0
👉 Sign up to receive meals: https://qrco.de/bgiLw

Thank you for helping us nourish children, strengthen families, and build a healthier community, one meal at at time!

Hundreds of YMCA Summer Day Camp Kids got to experience a taste of 90s summer on this week's field trip to Camp Ba Yo Ca. We love seeing kids outside, playing in the creek, catching crawdads, and building memories that will last a lifetime!