[Michlib-l] Fwd: Library summer meal programs: resources and information

[Kathi Rankin-Grams]

Dear public library community, 

Are you offering a summer meal service at your library this year? If you 
are, please tell us about it and use our resources! 

The California Library Association <http://cla-net.org> and California 
Summer Meal Coalition <http://www.summermealcoalition.org/> have developed 
extensive resources to help support and promote summer meal programs in 
libraries. 

*Website:* Visit our Lunch at the Library 
pages<http://www.cla-net.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=587>for 
planning, implementation, and evaluation resources: 
http://www.cla-net.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=587 

*Listserv:* Email us <ncole at cla-net.org> to be included on our Lunch at the 
Library discussion list to ask questions, share information, and exchange 
ideas with colleagues: ncole at cla-net.org 

*Interactive map*: Fill out our 
form<http://www.cla-net.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=795>to 
be included on our interactive map of library summer meal sites: 
http://www.cla-net.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=795 

Public library summer meal programs keep kids healthy, fed, and engaged 
when school is out. They help address summer learning loss and reduce the 
summer nutrition gap. 

Every summer, millions of kids and teens are at risk of going hungry 
because they no longer have access to the free or reduced-price meals they 
received when they were in school. The USDA Summer Food Service Program 
covers this summer meal gap. Free meals that meet federal nutrition 
guidelines are provided to all children 18 years old and under at approved 
SFSP sites in areas with significant concentrations of low-income children. 

*Libraries are ideal sites for serving USDA-supported summer meals:* 

- Libraries are trusted community spaces 
- Libraries welcome all and provide free access to lifelong learning 
resources 
- The summer reading program engages families with reading and with 
programs that extend the reading experience. 

*Summer meal programs support library goals:* 

- They attract new families to the library 
- Teen volunteers develop workforce readiness skills 
- The program provides genesis for creative community partnerships 
- The meal service provides opportunities to educate families about 
library services and resources 
- Families have a positive library experience that promotes feelings of 
health and wellbein. 
- The meal service boosts participation in the summer reading program 


Sincerely, 

Natalie and Patrice 


*Patrice Chamberlain* 
Director, California Summer Meal Coalition 
A program of the Public Health Institute 
Patrice.chamberlain at phi.org 
415.637.6815 

*Natalie Cole* 
Associate Executive Director, California Library Association 
ncole at cla-net.org 
650-376-0886 option #4 

California's Lunch at the Library program is supported by a grant from the 
David and Lucile Packard Foundation. 

-- 
Mary Jo Vortkamp 
Manager/Children's Librarian 
Franklin Branch of the Detroit Public Library 
13651 E. McNichols 
Detroit, MI 48205 
313-481-1741 
Hours: M, W, S 10-6 T & Th 12-8