We're partnering with the Greater Chicago Food Depository on a pilot program to distribute free meals to children 18 and under at two CPL locations.
The program, which started August 11, runs for three weeks, through August 29, at Humboldt Park Branch and Chicago Lawn Branch. Lunches are served from 1 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. Monday through Friday.
During the summer, children are at increased risk of hunger because they don’t receive the same number of free and reduced price meals as when school is in session. This partnership between CPL and the Greater Chicago Food Depository connects children to nutritious food when they come to the library for reading and activities.
Providing children and families access to free meals is a top priority for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. According to the organization, about one in five children in our community is food insecure.
In addition, the Greater Chicago Food Depository provides healthy summertime lunches to children in Cook County communities through its ongoing Lunch Bus mobile meals program. Now in its fifth year, the Lunch Bus travels to 21 sites every weekday—including our Austin, Richard M. Daley, Legler, McKinley Park and West Englewood branches—serving more than 4,500 meals every week. The Lunch Bus program continues through August 29.
