Every Tuesday and Thursday the McHenry Public Library offers Grab ‘N’ Go after school suppers to feed the McHenry community. Children 18 and younger may receive a meal and an activity at the twice-weekly event.

Seven years ago, the library saw a need and opportunity to provide meals to students and so that’s why they decided to apply for and host the program.

Anna Karwowsa, the supervisor for the Grab ‘N’ Go supper at the public library, says, “We have been partnering with the Northern Illinois Food Bank to do the Child Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program. I send in an application every school year and again in the summer. Typically 8-10 staff then have to attend training through the food bank to be able to serve meals.”

Since the pandemic hit, rules and cauntinary procedures have changed. According to Karwowsa, the library have to sign a waiver so they can serve the families in a grab and go style.

“However during COVID, we received a waiver so that we can serve in a grab ‘n’ go style, meaning either a child or adult can pick up the meal and take it offsite.”

For years, this program has helped feed many families to get fed.

Karwowsa says, “During the school year, we do CACFP.  We provide a meal and an enrichment activity and typically serve anywhere between 50-80 meals a month.”

Dan Gibson, a freshman at MCHS, has been to the summer lunch program.

“You’d grab your seat then they like give you lunch, sit back down that’s it. It calm. We just go visit a safe community like social. Normally weren’t too many people there but when there were it was like kids like my brother and sisters age.”

This summer, the library will launch its summer lunch program, which will offers lunch for the community.

“In [the summer of] 2021, we served over 400 meals each month,” Karwowsa adds. “We will be doing it again this year, beginning on June 1, 2022 and ending on August 16, 2022.”