All districts — Kent District Library is partnering with Kids’ Food Basket to help ensure local children and teens have access to nutritious meals when school is out during the summer months.
Through the Sack Suppers at the Library program, free evening meals are available through Sept. 1 at select KDL branches. The program aims to provide convenient, kid-friendly meals at no cost to families. No registration is required, and meals will be distributed while supplies last.
“KDL is committed to supporting the well-being of our community beyond books and learning resources,” said Lance Werner, KDL executive director. “By partnering with Kids’ Food Basket, we’re helping connect families with nutritious meals while providing welcoming spaces where children can learn, explore and thrive all summer long.”
The program addresses food insecurity during the summer, when many families lose access to school-provided meals.
“Summer can be a challenging time for families who rely on school meals,” said Bridget Clark Whitney, president and founding CEO of Kids’ Food Basket. “Through partnerships like this one with Kent District Library, we’re able to meet children where they are and ensure they continue to have access to healthy, nourishing food throughout the summer months.”
Meals are available at the following locations:
• Kelloggsville branch, located inside Kelloggsville High School, 4787 S. Division Ave. Meals are distributed Mondays through Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.
• Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch, 4950 Breton Road SE. Meals are distributed weekdays at 3 p.m.
• Wyoming branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. Meals are distributed weekdays at 4:30 p.m.
The library also partners with Feeding America through its Lunches at the Library program available at 14 KDL branches, and there are four Bookmobile weekly lunch locations.
More information about summer KDL programs and services is available here. Information about Kids’ Food Basket and its programs can be found here.
Read more from our districts:
• Free meal program feeding many kids this summer
• Their mission: ‘to be a beacon of hope’ for students and families
