Hungry Kids, Full Shelves: How an After School Snack Program Built Community

As any youth services librarian knows (or honestly, any librarian at all), food gets people’s attention.At my library, that truth showed up every single afternoon.

We were located on the same block as the town’s only public elementary, middle, and high school. Between 20 and 50 kids poured through our doors every day after school—and without exception, they were hungry.

That need sparked my very first initiative as a newly hired Youth Services Librarian: the After School Snack Initiative.

I started small and local. I canvassed the town, put out calls for donations on social media, and created an Amazon snack wishlist so community members could easily purchase items and have them shipped directly to the library. The response was immediate—and honestly, overwhelming.

It took off like wildfire.

Before I knew it, my shelves were full of prepackaged snacks of all kinds. Whenever supplies started to run low, I’d make another callout, and like clockwork, more boxes arrived. Every single delivery received a public thank-you on social media, which helped keep the program visible and reinforced a sense of shared ownership. This wasn’t just a library program—it was a community effort.

The impact didn’t go unnoticed. Indiana University Indianapolis featured the initiative in the Luddy School blog, highlighting both the program and the role libraries play in supporting students beyond academics:https://news.iu.edu/luddy/live/news/44348-luddy-indianapolis-library-student-serving-her

For three years, the After School Snack Initiative ran entirely on donations. Eventually, I discovered an incredible opportunity that helped take the program even further: the ALDI Community Gift Card Grant. Through this program, libraries can receive gift cards specifically to support community needs like food access. It was a game-changer and allowed us to maintain consistency without relying solely on donations.

If you’re thinking about starting an after school snack program at your library, I highly recommend checking it out:https://corporate.aldi.us/corporate-sustainability/community/aldi-community-support-programs

At its core, this program was never just about snacks. It was about meeting kids where they were, acknowledging a basic need, and creating a space where they felt welcomed, cared for, and supported. Sometimes the most impactful library services start with something as simple—and powerful—as food.

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