The Chicago Public Library (CPL) is partnering with the Greater Chicago Food Depository on a pilot program that distributes free summer meals to children 18 years old and under, inside branch libraries. During the summer, children are at increased risk of hunger because they don’t receive the same number of free and reduced price meals as when school is in session.

The free summer meals program, which started on August 11, runs for three weeks through August 29, at two CPL locations – Humboldt Park Branch (1605 W. Troy St.) and Chicago Lawn Branch (6120 S. Kedzie Ave.). Lunches are served Monday-Friday from 1 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. The nutritious lunches are prepared by Chicago’s Community Kitchens – the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s culinary workforce development program that trains adults for careers in food service. To find free summer meals for children in your community visit summermealsillinois.org.