UK Times and Star: “West Cumbrian libraries are set to address food poverty and keep young minds active across the half term break. When schools close for a week from February 17-21, nine Allerdale libraries are taking up Feed and Read sessions. This offers a free healthy lunch to children in libraries, whilst also giving them access to books. The scheme proved a roaring success in summer with over 900 packed lunches reaching children in Workington and Maryport. Libraries in Silloth, Aspatria, Wigton, Maryport, Cockermouth, Keswick, Moorclose, Seaton and Workington are all taking part, running one session each. The theme is ‘Love Cumbria’ and the sessions will include fun activities, events, competitions and opportunities to access a huge range of books including books on Cumbria and local history. Each library will be exhibiting community artwork as an expression of their love of the county. Feed and Read is a joint initiative, funded by both Cumbria County Council’s Allerdale Local Committee and Allerdale Borough Council to address food poverty during school holidays when children may ordinarily receive a free school lunch but also to keep young minds active whilst not in school. The offer is open to all children…” [Thank you to the libraries and librarians all around the world who feed our children – that they have to do so should give us all pause, and then take action]