Breakfast and lunch meals will be served free of charge to children weekdays in June and July in three Cobb County public libraries.

Happy Helpings, Georgia’s Summer Food Service Program, will provide the nutritious meals through the local partnership of Cobb County Public Library (CCPL) and Georgia Educational Resources Inc. (GERI) for the sixth year. Happy Helpings is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

The meals will be offered June 2 through July 25 three days per week on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last at:

• South Cobb Library
  • Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
  • breakfast: 10-10:30 am; lunch: 11:30 am-12 pm
• North Cobb Library
  • Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays
  • breakfast: 10-10:30 am; lunch: 12-12:30 pm
  • No meals will be served Friday, July 4.
• Gritters Library
  • Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
  • breakfast: 10-10:30 am; lunch: 1:30-2:30 pm
  • call 770-528-2524 to confirm availability

Prepared by a local county-inspected commercial kitchen, the meals are free for children ages 18 and younger. Adults 19 years and older who are enrolled in school programs for persons with disabilities will also receive meals. Parents and caregivers must remain with the children during the meals.

“Cobb library workers are committed to community partnerships addressing barriers to learning and play, including food insecurity and other challenges many families confront,” said Terri Tresp, CCPL Division Director Branch Services. “The Happy Helpings meals are served in comfortable, cool settings that give families an opportunity to meet their neighbors and learn about connecting to Summer Reading programs across the county.” 

For information on the Happy Helpings program and children’s food insecurity in Georgia, visit happyhelpingsga.com. For information on summertime programs and resources offered by Cobb libraries, visit cobbcat.org.