Arlington Public Library Expands Hours of Free Meal Pickup Service
By Arlington Public Library
Posted on June 11, 2020, June 11, 2020

Healthy lunch served to child

Editor's Note: As of June 29, 2020, the summer meal program has been temporarily suspended. It is scheduled to resume July 13, 2020. CitySquare will continue to provide meals through its food pantry. Click here to learn more. You can also text "Food" to 877-877 to find food assistance near you. Arlington ISD is still operating its summer meal program, as well. Click here to learn more. 

After three weeks of high demand, the Arlington Public Library is expanding the days and times of its free summer meals program. Youth ages 18 and under can continue to receive free breakfasts and lunches to take home from three library locations. The Library and CitySquare will be offering meal pickup through August 5.

“We have served more than 5,000 free meals in the past three weeks,” says Library Services Manager Bethany Fort. “We are excited to expand our hours to serve more families.”

Meals will now be served outside the following locations:

  • Downtown Library, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • East Arlington Branch, Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
  • Southeast Branch, Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:45-3:45 p.m.

CitySquare sets up a drive-thru at each location to observe social distancing. Families can stay safely inside their cars while picking up food. Patrons may also choose to walk up for service.

Families will receive a breakfast and a lunch for multiple days at each visit. Two days of meals are available on Mondays and Tuesdays, and three days of meals are available on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

These meals are free and there are no income or identification requirements to participate. All children must be present in order to receive food. Unfortunately, caregivers cannot request food for children who are not with them.

This is the Library’s fifth summer providing meals in partnership with CitySquare Food on the Move, a federally funded nutrition program that meets the needs of children who might go hungry outside of school. CitySquare is one of the largest nonprofit at-risk food sponsors in Texas.

The Arlington Public Library and CitySquare have served more than 23,000 meals to Arlington’s children since partnering in 2015, including 5,237 meals served since May 20, 2020.

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