"Kids Lunch" Summer Meals Program a Success

This summer the Niles Public Library District partnered with the Summer Food Service Program, a state-funded service, to host its first-year “Kids Lunch,” a program to provide children with a free lunch twice a week while school is out. This service is growing in popularity in nearby neighborhoods, as Skokie Public Library began its first summer meals program this year as well.

During the months of June and July, Niles Library staff set up nutritional lunches every Tuesday and Thursday, where about 40-50 meals were distributed each day totaling over 600 meals served over the summer. Vegetarian options were also available for children who do not eat meat.

The Niles Library also used its Dollar General grant for two teen summer interns, who dedicated several hours of their internships to helping out with Kids Lunch. The program was successful in ensuring that the children who participated received healthy meals.

For more information about the Summer Food Service Program, please visit the official website at www.summermealsillinois.org.

The Niles Public Library District is located at 6960 W. Oakton St. at the northeast corner of the Oakton and Waukegan intersection. Library hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 am – 9 pm, Friday, 9 am – 7 pm, Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday, 1 – 5 pm.