LEONARDTOWN, Md. — An outpouring of community support has ensured that children visiting Lexington Park Library will have access to healthy, hearty snacks this summer.
St. Mary’s County Library’s Summer Snacks donation campaign has raised more than $12,000 in monetary contributions, along with enough donated healthy, hearty snacks to serve children weekdays at the Lexington Park Library through Aug. 21. The response from the community exceeded expectations and demonstrates what can be accomplished when individuals, families, businesses and community organizations work together.
Thanks to the generosity of the community, Lexington Park Library will provide Summer Snacks every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 1 p.m. through Aug. 21. Lunch at the Library, which provides lunch from a local restaurant or food establishment, will be provided on Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m.
In addition, due to the significant amount of snacks donated, St. Mary’s County Library will be providing snacks to hungry kids at Leonardtown Library and Charlotte Hall Library before or after children’s programs that are scheduled on the library calendar of events.
A large part of the Summer Snacks success came from the many smaller and individual donations made throughout the community. Each box of snacks, grocery store purchase, online contribution and shared message helped build a supply that will feed local children all summer long.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed,” said Michael Blackwell, St. Mary’s County Library director. “Summer Snacks and Lunch at the Library are only possible through many people choosing to give what they could. Together, all of those individual acts of generosity have become something truly extraordinary.”
Summer can be a challenging time for families whose children receive meals or snacks through school-year programs. By making nutritious snacks available at Lexington Park Library, this program helps ensure that children can enjoy a welcoming place to read, learn, play and participate in library programs without going hungry.
St. Mary’s County Library extends its sincere appreciation to every donor, volunteer, community organization, business and group that collected snacks, contributed funds, promoted the campaign or encouraged others to participate.
“This effort shows how deeply our community cares for its children,” said Amy Ford, Lexington Park Library branch manager. “Every contribution mattered, and every donor played a part in making sure children aren’t going hungry this summer.”
