The Woodlands Family YMCA at Shadowbend announced it will host a drive-thru food market March 28. The market is designed to provide meals to local families experiencing food insecurity due to distribution disruptions related to the new coronavirus outbreak, according to the YMCA.

The YMCA, which is also using its Shadowbend facility as a care center for children of "essential personnel" in select professions, said it will provide dozens of pounds of food to families visiting the mobile market Saturday morning. Patrons will drive through several food stations where volunteers will load 30 pounds of produce, 30 pounds of dry and canned goods, 10 pounds of frozen meat and additional breads and desserts into their each family's vehicle.

The YMCA said its food supply is expected to serve around 150 families and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis between 10 a.m.-noon Saturday. Individuals will not need to leave their vehicles during the drive-thru process, and the market will operate under social distancing guidelines.

The Woodlands Family YMCA at Shadowbend also hosted a blood donor coach earlier this week, and its Branch Crossing location will host the coach March 27. Community members wishing to support the YMCA may contact its community development team by emailing [email protected].

The YMCA is one of several organizations in The Woodlands area that is providing food to those in need amid the coronavirus outbreak, with food distribution continuing at both Interfaith of The Woodlands and the Montgomery County Food Bank as well. Many local eateries also remain open to all community members for pickup and delivery orders while state dine-in restrictions remain in place.