San Diego County libraries bring food to families during the summer

The Rancho Santa Fe Library Photo courtesy of San Diego County County libraries are offering more than just books this summer they re providing food to isolated communities while promoting other library services and amenities Schools out for summer has a whole different meaning for kids who rely on school meals to get through the week Without school lunches several students often suffer in the summer having to rely on alternative food sources The San Diego County library system is combating this with different food programs across different locations Feeding San Diego provides the food to the County libraries The venture which was established in and provides more than million meals every year around the county works with a variety of people with food demands from children families and college students to veterans or people facing homelessness In addition to the summer food programs particular libraries offer year-round food pantries or additional food services for seniors and other communities The libraries aren t just filling a food shortage they re also providing different programs books and other supplies during the food programs These additional services promote the libraries and all they have to offer and encourage those dependent on the summer meals to make the the bulk of the library system By offering meals and food tools alongside our summer programs we re able to advocacy families not only through learning opportunities but also by helping meet essential necessities especially in high-need or isolated areas where access to food can be limited during the summer months County Library Director Migell Acost announced in a release State library grants provide the funding for the books and library programs Federal grants fund the summer meals Further Feeding San Diego partners with local charities schools and more the libraries aren t the only ones The library explained it s seen overwhelming positive encouragement for the undertaking Our sites and meal services have expanded over the last three years serving more children and families than ever announced Library Youth Services Manager Jodi dela Pena The meal venture is just one of the plenty of programs offered by libraries around the county Summer reading programs cultural events and other classes are offered across the different library branches