GREENFIELD — Greenfield Library will distribute free grab-and-go meals and activity bags for children 18 and younger every Thursday through July 8 to help increase access to healthy food and learning programs.
The distributions happen at the library on Thursdays, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The first distribution took place June 17. The program runs at all branches of the Monterey County Free Libraries. All days and times are listed at emcfl.org.
“The purpose of the Lunch at the Library program is to help kids, teens and families facing food insecurity and to help reduce the summer slide that happens both with reading and learning activities,” said Dawn Vest, branch manager at Greenfield Library.
Greenfield Library previously partnered with schools to sponsor the meals and served meals at the library. Enrichment and learning activities for children and families were available, as well.
Restrictions surrounding Covid-19 caused a switch in gears to the grab-and-go meal format and activity bags.
“The grab-and-go activity bags provide learning activities and fun crafts with all supplies included that kids and families can enjoy together safely at their home,” Vest said.
During the opening day for the program in Greenfield, library staff handed out 200 meals and 175 activity bags in less than an hour.
“We enjoy the program very much and the kids and families seem to really enjoy the activity bags based on their continued feedback and requests for the activity bags,” Vest said. “It’s so gratifying to know we can and are making a difference and better yet to see the smile on the faces of the kids getting their activity bags and meals, that is what makes our jobs so amazingly wonderful.”
Due to the summer heat in South Monterey County, the Monte Mobile was introduced at Greenfield last week to distribute ice-cold water. The remote-controlled cooler was filled with water bottles to cool anyone in need of relief from the 92-degree temperatures.
Greenfield’s meal sponsor is Greenfield High School. This week’s activity bag will be art-focused with a Wikki Stix Retro Bubble Names activity. Next week’s bag will include different ways of communication with lessons about American Sign Language and Braille.
In addition, the Greenfield Library will host a summer reading program, which began June 5 and runs through July 31.
