Food Insecurity Resources & Support

Overview:

At Suffolk Public Library, we believe that access to food is just as vital as access to information. Recognizing the growing needs within our community, we’ve developed and partnered on several initiatives that go beyond books—programs designed to nourish bodies as well as minds.

From afternoon snacks and summer lunches to mobile food distributions and community-supported resource spaces, the library is proud to serve as a trusted hub for care, connection, and support. Whether through a snack offered during a Library2Go stop, a meal shared at Mess Hall, or a no-questions-asked pantry visit, these efforts reflect our commitment to addressing food insecurity and promoting equity across Suffolk.

Explore the programs below to learn how Suffolk Public Library is helping build a healthier, more connected community—one meal, one stop, one neighbor at a time.

Food Pantries

 Available during all open hours at Morgan Memorial Library and North Suffolk Library, our in-building pantries provide free access to non-perishable food and hygiene items for anyone in need.These barrier-free resources operate on a simple principle: take what you need, leave what you can: no forms, no questions asked. Stocked through community donations and library support, the pantries reflect Suffolk Public Library’s ongoing commitment to meeting basic needs and supporting a stronger, more caring community.


Food Pantry

Afternoon Snack Program

The Suffolk Public Library's Afternoon Snack Program offers free snacks to children under 18 all year long. Operating at the Morgan Memorial Library, located at 443 West Washington Street, the program provides twenty snacks daily on a first-come, first-served basis. At the North Suffolk Library located at 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road, the program provides 10 snacks daily under the same conditions. Children can simply approach the front desk—no identification or registration required.

Running Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to library closing and all day Saturday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.), the program invites youth to enjoy a snack while exploring the library's resources, participating in activities, or engaging with peers in a safe and welcoming environment.

This initiative is part of the library's commitment to supporting the community beyond traditional services, ensuring that children have access to essential resources that promote learning and well-being.

Sponsored by STAR Haven and Harmony818 Travels

Snack Progam 2025

The Suffolk Public Library's Afterschool Snack Program offers free snacks to children under 18 all year long. Operating at the Morgan Memorial Library, located at 443 West Washington Street, the program provides twenty snacks daily on a first-come, first-served basis. At the North Suffolk Library located at 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road, the program provides 10 snacks daily under the same conditions. Children can simply approach the front desk—no identification or registration required.Running Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to library closing and all day Saturday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.), the program invites youth to enjoy a snack while exploring the library's resources, participating in activities, or engaging with peers in a safe and welcoming environment.This initiative is part of the library's commitment to supporting the community beyond traditional services, ensuring that children have access to essential resources that promote learning and well-being.

Also, can we replace the photo that is currently there with this one? It features the most recent signage for the program.
The Suffolk Public Library's Afterschool Snack Program offers free snacks to children under 18 all year long. Operating at the Morgan Memorial Library, located at 443 West Washington Street, the program provides twenty snacks daily on a first-come, first-served basis. At the North Suffolk Library located at 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road, the program provides 10 snacks daily under the same conditions. Children can simply approach the front desk—no identification or registration required.Running Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to library closing and all day Saturday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.), the program invites youth to enjoy a snack while exploring the library's resources, participating in activities, or engaging with peers in a safe and welcoming environment.This initiative is part of the library's commitment to supporting the community beyond traditional services, ensuring that children have access to essential resources that promote learning and well-being.

Also, can we replace the photo that is currently there with this one? It features the most recent signage for the program.
The Suffolk Public Library's Afterschool Snack Program offers free snacks to children under 18 all year long. Operating at the Morgan Memorial Library, located at 443 West Washington Street, the program provides twenty snacks daily on a first-come, first-served basis. At the North Suffolk Library located at 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road, the program provides 10 snacks daily under the same conditions. Children can simply approach the front desk—no identification or registration required.Running Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to library closing and all day Saturday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.), the program invites youth to enjoy a snack while exploring the library's resources, participating in activities, or engaging with peers in a safe and welcoming environment.This initiative is part of the library's commitment to supporting the community beyond traditional services, ensuring that children have access to essential resources that promote learning and well-being.

Also, can we replace the photo that is currently there with this one? It features the most recent signage for the program.
The Suffolk Public Library's Afterschool Snack Program offers free snacks to children under 18 all year long. Operating at the Morgan Memorial Library, located at 443 West Washington Street, the program provides twenty snacks daily on a first-come, first-served basis. At the North Suffolk Library located at 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road, the program provides 10 snacks daily under the same conditions. Children can simply approach the front desk—no identification or registration required.Running Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to library closing and all day Saturday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.), the program invites youth to enjoy a snack while exploring the library's resources, participating in activities, or engaging with peers in a safe and welcoming environment.This initiative is part of the library's commitment to supporting the community beyond traditional services, ensuring that children have access to essential resources that promote learning and well-being.
Also, can we replace the photo that is currently there with this one? It features the most recent signage for the program.

Outreach Snack Program

The Suffolk Public Library’s Outreach Snack Program helps meet the nutritional needs of youth across the city by offering free snacks during Library2Go visits. Through this initiative, the library extends its support beyond building walls—bringing not just books and resources, but also a bit of nourishment to neighborhoods that need it most.

During select mobile outreach stops, children and teens under 18 can receive a prepackaged snack at no cost—no ID, registration, or purchase necessary. The snacks are offered alongside Library2Go’s regular services, which include access to books, Wi-Fi, community resources, and fun activities for all ages.

By combining literacy access with food support, the Outreach Snack Program helps bridge the gap for families experiencing food insecurity and strengthens the library’s role as a trusted and caring presence in the community.

Aerial view of Library2Go vehicle in parking lot surrounded by people

Mess Hall 

The Suffolk Public Library’s Mess Hall program offers free, nutritious lunches to children under 18 during the summer months. Held at the Morgan Memorial Library, lunches are served Monday through Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Beyond meals, Mess Hall provides daily activities encouraging kids to explore, create, and play in a safe, welcoming environment. Activities often include presentations and interactive sessions with community partners such as the Suffolk Fire Department, the Suffolk Master Gardeners and more!


This initiative is made possible through partnerships with organizations such as the USDA, the Virginia Department of Education and Suffolk Public Schools, reflecting the library's commitment to supporting families and promoting equity in our community.


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Previous Initiatives:

In 2024, the Suffolk Public Library partnered with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore to launch a monthly Library2Go Mobile Food Pantry—a unique initiative that combined library outreach with food distribution. Once a month, the Library2Go vehicle transformed into a mobile food pantry, delivering fresh produce, shelf-stable goods, and essential information directly to neighborhoods across Suffolk.


This innovative partnership helped reduce barriers to both food access and literacy by meeting people where they are. Alongside free food distributions, residents could check out books, get connected to community resources, and learn more about library programs—all in one convenient stop.


Though the mobile food pantry program has since concluded, it remains a strong example of how libraries and community partners can work together to address immediate needs while building trust and connection throughout the city.