Fairborn, OH: Summer Reading Club 2019 marks the third year that Fairborn Community Library will be a free lunch location. The program is sponsored by the Fairborn School District Nutrition Department and supported by the USDA. Fairborn Community Library is the location where food can be picked up. The USDA's Summer Food Program provides kids and teens in low-income areas free meals when school is out.
Last year, a SNAP-Ed representative from the OSU Extension Office attended the free lunches. She presented the attendees with a lesson/craft/activity about different nutrition topics. Over 150 children and teens received free meals through the program last year.
Children’s librarian Caitlin Wichterman recognizes the value of the program, especially during the summer. “Our summer programming encourages children to read even though they’re not in school. Research has shown that reading over the summer helps sustain the knowledge students learned during the previous academic year” she says. “However, it's difficult to maintain focus and retain information on an empty stomach. With the Summer Food Program, children can get the nutrition they need as well as the exciting programs and materials they expect from the library.”
Other free lunch locations in Fairborn include Baker Middle School, Landmark Apartments, Wright Park, Garland Apartments, and Central Park.
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CONTACT: Ryan Ireland, Communications Coordinator, 937-736-7081
