Food Access Impacts Literacy

I heard this recently - that people are really looking for the WHY you do things, rather than the who-what-when-where-how. So, in the spirit of that statement,

Why have we opted to do this kind of project? We're librarians, right?

How many times have you said to yourself... "I am a librarian, not a social worker. The library provides information and education, but if we step across that line into providing other services, we've gone too far." It's ok. I know you've said this. We all have at one time or another.

What we ask, however, is that you imagine the impact that access to food and good nutrition can have on literacy.

If a child is given a meal or snack at the library, it's good fuel for his or her body and mind. If there's a fun program that goes along with the meal about how important it is to eat well, you've turned the entire event into an opportunity for physical and mental growth.

During my days at the Coachman Family Center in White Plains, NY, we made an annual visit to a school in Westchester County where the students and staff provided a lovely Thanksgiving dinner for recipients and staff of housing services in the county. Those of us who spent most of our time at the shelter were able to sit down for dinner together. It made a huge impact. The kids I normally had to chase down after school sat still and shared mounds of potatoes, salad, turkey, bread, and a nice dessert.

This is what I observed: The atmosphere of sharing a meal created a positive energy that made everyone relax. There was more than enough food for everyone, so no one was in competition for it. The kids were more likely to listen when they were at ease with their peers. Parents and kids had normal conversations with one another instead of having struggles with discipline.

It was a chance to communicate in a way only happens when sitting at a table and eating together. It was loud. It was messy. It was fun... and it made an impact... and everyone was much more prepared to listen and learn.