LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A Better St. Mary’s and the St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services have partnered to help provide meals and snacks for children this summer after funding was not available for a daily in-person meal program at the Lexington Park Library.
For the past nine summers, in partnership with St. Mary’s County Public Schools and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the St. Mary’s County Library provided Lunch at the Library at the Lexington Park Library. Last summer, the program served nearly 800 meals to children.
This year, the library’s goal is to provide as many hearty snacks and warm meals as possible for children Monday through Friday at the Lexington Park Library from June 15 through Aug. 21.
A Better St. Mary’s, the local Social Services Advisory Board, and the St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services have each contributed $1,000 to support the effort.
The Maryland Association of Social Services Boards Foundation is comprised entirely of volunteers who serve on local boards in all 23 Maryland counties. In St. Mary’s County, the Social Services Advisory Board operates as A Better St. Mary’s. The organization provides financial assistance to support the Department of Social Services’ mission of helping at-risk families, children and vulnerable adults. Assistance includes help with rental and utility arrearages, medical supplies and emergency home repairs for elderly residents.
“No child should go without access to nutritious food when a community has the resources to help,” A Better St. Mary’s Board Chair Tony Lawrence said. “We are proud to support the in-person meal program and its mission of providing healthy meals to youth throughout our community. Our commitment is to ensure that children and families have access to the support they need, while creating meaningful and lasting impacts that strengthen the well-being of St. Mary’s County.”
Michael Blackwell, director of the St. Mary’s County Library, said the support will help the library continue serving local children throughout the summer.
“We are delighted by this support from A Better St. Mary’s and St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services,” Blackwell said. “We provide informative and entertaining programming throughout the summer, but children need more than books to thrive. With this support, we can help nourish the whole child.”
Donations supporting A Better St. Mary’s and other initiatives may be made through the Maryland Association of Social Services Boards Foundation at www.massbfoundation.org. Donors are asked to note that their contribution is intended for St. Mary’s County. Those wishing to support the library’s summer snack program directly can visit www.stmalib.org for a list of needed items and donation opportunities.
