E-Update by Supervisor John Gioia:

Innovative summer program: books & lunch for kids!
Schools-library partnership helps fight summer hunger

I’ve written a lot about summer learning loss for kids who don’t have engaging activities during vacation, but some children may also be vulnerable to
summer hunger or nutritional loss, without regular school-based meals.

Research shows that less than 20% of California children who receive a free/reduced school lunch during the year (which is based on family income), also participate in a school summer meal program.

A unique partnership between the Contra Costa County Library
and the West Contra Costa Unified School District is trying to prevent summer hunger by providing free, nutritious lunch at the San Pablo and El Sobrante libraries.

Lunch in the Library sessions include board games, arts & crafts, movies, music and more!

Details:

What:
Free nutritious lunch for kids up to 18 years. No documentation or enrollment is required.
When:
12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays until August 20.
Where:
El Sobrante Library, 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante, 510-374-3991.
San Pablo Library, 2300 El Portal Drive, Suite D, 510-374-3998.

This program is part of a statewide collaboration between the California Library Association and the California Summer Meal Coalition. We know that libraries are a popular summer hang-out spot for families with kids, including some who struggle to put food on the table.

I hope you’ll help get the word out about this wonderful program to anyone who may need it.

Sincerely,
John

John Gioia
Supervisor, District One
Contra Costa County
11780 San Pablo Avenue, Suite D
El Cerrito, CA 94530
510-231-8686 Phone
510-374-3429 Fax
John_Gioia@bos.cccounty.us
www.cocobos.org/gioia