Heights Libraries Summer Meals For Kids Program Gets Extra Help

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH - The Heights Libraries are getting a little help implementing a summer lunch program for school children.

The library system added a ShareCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) summer associate. Margaret Cochran-Glanton will be helping implement the Greater Cleveland Food Bank's summer lunch program at the Lee Road branch.

“I think it’s important to be giving and caring to those who are less fortunate than ourselves,” said Cochran-Glanton. “Americorps gives me the opportunity to grow and put into practice what I’ve learned in this life about putting others before yourself.”

The library system's summer lunch program will run throughout the summer, until August 9, at the Lee Road branch. Lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m. The Noble branch will also provide lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Much of the food will be provided by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. The summer lunch is being supported by the Ohio Department of Education and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

Heights Libraries Special Projects Manager Maggie Kinney oversees the summer lunch program, and said she is grateful for both the VISTA program and Cochran-Glanton’s experience.

“During the summer, we have so many kids who spend time at the library, sometimes all day if their parents work, and many of them don’t bring a snack, or have money to buy one,” said Kinney. “With Margaret’s help and expertise, we can really focus not only on making sure the lunches get served, but making sure the kids receive some kind of enrichment while they are with us, through either a story, a craft, or some other literacy-based activity.”

Cochran-Glanton comes to Cleveland Heights through the Americorps VISTA program, which sends members to communities facing challenges like inequality and poverty. The Cleveland Heights region was selected due to the high rate of poverty among CH-UH school children.

Cochran-Glanton has a background in education. She has worked as a substitute teacher for 11 years in Cleveland and in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights public schools. She also previously served as an Americorps volunteer with the National & Community Service Program, helping with after-school and summer programs for Cleveland kids.