Coshocton library helps fill the summer food gap for children 18 and younger

COSHOCTON − For a lot of children, their only meal of the day may be lunch at school, so the Coshocton County District Library is again participating in a food distribution program through Children's Hunger Alliance, an Ohio agency of the USDA.

The library is the only distribution site in Coshocton County , and the program runs through Aug. 15. Meals are being distributed on Friday this week because of the library being closed for Independence Day.

There are no eligibility requirements or registration required. Any youth age 18 or younger or their caregiver may pick up five free breakfasts and five free lunches each week, which are non-perishable. Breakfast usually features juice, milk and cereal. Lunches contain a drink, protein, fruit and vegetable.

Pick up is from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. on Thursdays at the library.

Corazon Britton, youth services librarian, said they switched to the later time from last year as many caregivers work during the day. It's also after the library closes, so it's easier to get people in and out. Britton also said they don't have the staff or space for fresh meals on-site, as some locations in other counties provide.

She said they served 150 youth the first and second weeks of the program, 183 the third week and 220 the fourth week with more than 7,000 meals given out in June.

"People are grateful for the program. We have individuals and families share how the program benefits their children and teens, especially during the summer when youth are not receiving meals at school," Britton said. "Food insecurity is a challenge for many families throughout the county. As a community organization, the library has tried to help address the need by distributing meals to children and teens while they are not in school. The library strives to improve the quality of life for community members and meet non-traditional needs."

Britton mentioned other non-traditional needs the library addresses including the loan of mobile hotspots for WiFi, activity for children, yard games, sensory toys, character kits and educational tablets.

For more information on the program, contact the Coshocton County District Library at 740-622-0956.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Coshocton library helps fill the summer food gap for children 18 and younger