Need lunch this summer? These Sacramento-area libraries have you covered
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sacramento and Sutter County libraries will serve free lunches to youth under 18.
- Libraries hire local teens for lunch service, promoting jobs and life skills.
- Yolo, Yuba libraries offer food-linked programs including book giveaways and fine relief.
As the school year winds down, Sacramento Public Library is gearing up for its 11th year serving free summertime lunches. The meals will be available to youth 18 and younger at 13 branches beginning June 17.
“Budgets are tight in the summer, and families really feel that lack of support that they get during the school year,” said Christie Hamm, youth services manager at Sacramento Public Library.
She estimated that 80% of Sacramento youth eligible for free meals during the school year lose access to food during the summer because they are not at school every day. The library’s lunch program is open to all youth and does not require registration.
According to Hamm, families appreciate more than the meal.
“They also say it’s really valuable to come together, break bread in a nice space and get to know members of the community.”
One way the library strengthens the community is by hiring local teenagers to staff the lunch program. This year, 60 students across the county have been selected. The library program will be the first job for many.
“It’s a workforce readiness and youth development program as much as it is a meals program,” said Hamm.
Sutter County Library will offer a similar program to Sacramento. Beginning on Thursday, youth younger than 18 can receive a free lunch at Sutter County Library Tuesdays through Fridays. The service will be provided at the main branch located at 750 Forbes Ave. in Yuba City.
Meals are provided through a partnership with Yuba City Unified School District and must be eaten on the library’s premises.
Over in Yolo County, the County Library received a grant from the California State Library to host pop-up programming at six community meal sites across the county.
Crista Cannariato, the East Yolo library regional manager, said the pop-ups will be located at schools in Esparto, Winters, Knights Landing, Yolo, West Sacramento and Davis. The library will distribute free books to children eating at the meal sites on three occasions this summer. For the meals at Winters and West Sacramento, the library is also partnering with Three Sisters Gardens to distribute fresh produce.
If Yolo County residents decide to visit their library this summer, they might mistake it for a zoo.
“Python Ron’s Reptile Kingdom will be visiting several branches, as will Nature’s Critters,” said Cannariato.
Both Python Ron’s Reptile Kingdom and Nature’s Critters feature a wide array of wildlife like snakes and lizards. For visitors desiring a snake-free summer, Yolo County Library will have magicians and musicians at different branches each week.
Yuba County Library will not offer lunches this summer, but has a new program to provide young residents with free food.
From this week to July 21, children 12 and younger can receive a free kids combo from Raising Cane’s by checking out and reading seven books from the Yuba County Library. Children can receive up to five meals throughout the summer, according to the library’s Facebook post.
The library is also running its “Food For Fines” program until the end of June. For each can of non-perishable food that a visitor donates, Yuba County Library forgives $1 of their outstanding fines. All cans are given to the Yuba County Health and Human Services Department to distribute to those in need. Across the Sacramento-area this summer, reading feeds more than just minds.