Fueling Young Musicians: How YONA’s Snack Program Makes a Difference

Fueling Young Musicians: How YONA’s Snack Program Makes a Difference

By Trena Taralson

At YONA, snack time is more than just a break—it’s an essential part of our program. Every day after school, students begin their YONA experience with a nutritious snack, ensuring they have the energy and focus needed to learn and play music until 6 PM. Each snack includes a grain (granola bars or crackers), a fruit (apples, bananas, oranges, or applesauce), and a dairy item (yogurt or cheese). This balanced nutrition helps students stay engaged, energized, and ready to tackle the challenges of the day. 

This year, we made an exciting improvement to how we provide these essential snacks. Previously, individual sites were responsible for purchasing and picking up snacks from retail grocery stores. Now, our ordering process is centralized to one site, and volunteers then deliver the snacks to all our sites across the city.  

Thanks to the sponsorship of the Cameron Corporation, our students always have access to these healthy and delicious snacks. Starting YONA with an after-school snack ensures every student has the nutrients they need to succeed, fostering a positive and supportive learning environment. 

A heartfelt thank you to Cameron Corporation for your incredible support of the YONA nutrition program. Your contribution is making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students every day!