While low-income children receive lunch during the school year, in summer there is greater food insecurity. Many of our branch libraries serve as meal sites. This innovation is an expansion of the meal site model to create wrap-around programming that blends healthy eating, active living and learning into a single library visit. The 2016 summer reading theme provided a perfect fit to launch the program. Children came for lunch, then stayed for learning and exercise.

1) DML’s Northwest Branch Library hosted all programming, offering valuable youth activities and served as the coordinator of the meal site – feeding hundreds of children in 2016. 2) GetUp! Mongtomery County provided a healthful living tracker (completion counted as a Summer Challenge program) and offered free physical activity opportunities following lunch. 3) The Junior League of Dayton volunteered to support the meal program and coordinated weekly, educational programs.

DML was proud to leverage the expertise of area partners in promoting health and wellness for youth. By launching this innovative partnership and welcoming out-of-the-norm programming to the Branch Library, DML is seen as a community resource for “more than books” and a true neighborhood partner for the health and welfare of children. The program was so popular, it continues in 2017.