St. Louis County Library, Operation Food Search provide free after-school meals for kids

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - As families continue to feel the pinch of rising grocery prices, a local partnership is helping ease the burden by providing free after-school meals to children and teens.

Operation Food Search and the St. Louis County Library have teamed up to provide nutritious meals to children ages 5 to 18 at participating library branches, giving families one less expense to worry about.

At the Lewis and Clark Branch, children can stop by after school for a free meal, spend time with friends and participate in activities.

“Because we’re right here in the neighborhood, there are not a lot of grocery stores in this area, so it is nice that we have something here that’s tangible for them to, you know, have right away,” said Cecilia Broussard Lopez, a youth specialist with the St. Louis County Library.

Meal options vary but can include turkey wraps, chicken sandwiches, yogurt and other nutritious snacks. Children can sign in and choose a meal at participating locations.

Beyond providing food, library staff say the program offers children a safe place to go after school.

“When kids get out of school, you know, a lot of them are latchkey kids — there’s no one at home to cook for them,” Broussard Lopez said. “So they can just come right over to the library, which is walking distance of several schools, and just have a nice little healthy snack.”

The meals help children have the energy to play, socialize and complete homework, she said.

The program also helps families stretch their grocery budgets as the cost of food and other household necessities continues to rise.

“We know how high groceries are now and how inflation has made a lot of things unobtainable,” Broussard Lopez said.

She said providing a free meal can help parents put money toward other necessities, including gas, medication and diapers.

“Here, at least, there’s one meal that’s taken off of your burden,” she said. “If you come here, if you bring your children by here, that’s one thing, one less thing that you have to provide at home.”

The after-school meals are available Monday through Friday, including during school breaks. Children can also stay at the library to participate in activities or spend time with friends.

Through the partnership, more than 2 million meals have been provided to children in the area.

Where to find free after-school meals

The following St. Louis County Library branches offer free after-school meals:

• Lewis and Clark Branch: 9909 Lewis-Clark Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63136. Monday through Friday, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• Natural Bridge Branch: 7606 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63121. Monday through Friday, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• Prairie Commons Branch: 915 Utz Lane, Hazelwood, MO 63042. Monday through Friday, 3-4:30 p.m.
• Weber Road Branch: 4444 Weber Road, St. Louis, MO 63123. Monday through Friday, 2:45-4 p.m.

Families can visit participating branches during the designated meal times to access the program.