For children in rural communities, access to basic necessities like food can be a daily challenge, especially during the summer months when school is out of session. But thanks to a partnership between Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland (FAKH) and the Green County Public Library in Greensburg, Kentucky, Green County families now have a new source of support.
Every Friday afternoon this summer, shelves inside the library are stocked with food boxes, each containing seven breakfasts and seven lunches. These boxes are a source of nourishment for area children in need in kindergarten through 12th grade, ensuring that they don’t go hungry while school is out.
“The majority of what I saw today were grandparents picking up for their grandchildren,” said Rebecca Pruitt, Director of the Green County Public Library, following a recent distribution. “We do have a large population of grandparents who are taking care of these babies, and we are just so grateful that we’re able to meet that need.”
For caregivers, these boxes provide more than just food for their children or grandchildren, they also provide peace of mind.
“It’s a breath of fresh air and a relief that they’re able to do this for their children,” Pruitt said. “Grocery shopping is expensive. It takes a lot of time. And to relieve a little bit of that burden from their shoulders and to invest in my community is the reason that I do this.”
FAKH initially approached the Green County Public Library after identifying Green County as one of two counties in the organization’s 42-county service region that does not have a summer feeding program. Recognizing the library as a trusted and centralized hub in the community, FAKH representatives reached out to establish a partnership and distribute food through the Kentucky Department of Education.
“They were very open and eager,” said Laura Fraliex, Agency Services Programs Manager at FAKH. “Getting a program like this up and running off the ground does take a lot of man hours, and it’s a pretty heavy lift, but it is a priority for us at Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland to get as much food out into the counties as possible.”
Since the program started on July 11, over 500 boxes have been distributed to Green County families through this new partnership. Each box fills a gap when school cafeterias close for the summer.
“Our school system provides a free breakfast and a free lunch every day,” Pruitt said. “And while the parents are at work, we don’t want any of the children at home without something that they’re able to eat.”
The shelf-stable meals included in the boxes are designed to be easy for kids to prepare themselves with no stove or microwave required.
The program also introduces local residents to enrichment activities offered by the library, from story time events for young children to crafting events for adults, Pruitt said.
“We’re hoping that they’re able to see what we do, along with offering these boxes for pick up,” she said. “They can come in and see the options that are available to them within the library.”
Looking toward next summer, FAKH hopes to expand the summer feeding program in Green County and other communities lacking access to nutritious meals.
“If anybody in Green County—a business, organization, or community partner—would be interested in donating or helping sponsor part of this program to help get the food out to the community, we’d greatly appreciate it,” Fraliex said. “Just reach out to us at Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland, and we’ll be happy to tell you more about how you can help us grow this program.”
