Kids get free meals at Chicago library branches

Chicago children are now getting fed at the public library.

In a news release, the Chicago Public Library announced it is partnering with the Greater Chicago Food Depository in a pilot program that distributes free lunches to children and teens at branch libraries. The program started this week and will run every weekday through Aug. 29 at the library's Humboldt Park branch and the Chicago Lawn branch.

The release says the program addresses a critical need because less than 12 percent of Illinois children who receive free or reduced price meals at school during the school year received the meals last summer.

The Food Depository also provides free lunches through its ongoing Lunch Bus mobile summer meals program at a number of sites, including library branches.