Starting in 2018, the library partnered with the Highland County Department of Social Services to bring free summer meals to Highland County children. The bagged meals were sourced through Virginia DSS and No Kid Hungry and were required to be provided in a congregate setting. That meant we had to have a mealtime in the library meeting room several days a week. It was a group effort, and we made it work for two summers.
Then the pandemic and lockdowns came along and shut down “congregate” everything. After restrictions were eased we again partnered with Highland County DSS to provide carry-out snacks for children on certain days of the week. Eventually DSS dropped out and the library took responsibility for having free snacks available for children under 18 years old every day.
