Helping to feed Troy children and prevent the 'summer slide'

"She was up early this morning waiting for me at the house. She had her ID ready and said I'm ready to go to the library," said Ventura Acevedo, the girls' caretaker. 

The Troy library is offering a summer reading challenge. Young readers can get prizes for reading each week.

Her first library card! Her caretaker said he wanted to make sure she had access to books all summer. pic.twitter.com/1GkdHTGhA3

— Kumi (@KumiTuckerWNYT) July 10, 2019

"This is a time when we get to spend a lot of time with school-aged kids, which is the best time of year if you're a children's librarian," said librarian Carol Roberts. "You get to talk to them about what you love the most, which is sharing the joy and the gift of reading." 

The library offers many free events, including making ice cream, arts and crafts, and Space Out STEAM activities. 

A sample of some of the upcoming children’s events at the Troy library. Open to all children in the area, not just Troy. pic.twitter.com/uS0KrpgVpz

— Kumi (@KumiTuckerWNYT) July 10, 2019

"I've been a librarian for 13 years and even now I have kids that come in and say, 'Oh, I remember books saved me during summers when I was growing up.' So being part of that, it's very exciting," said Roberts. 

Also at Troy library— Read it Forward! They’re giving away this book. They only ask that the young reader gives it to a friend when he/she is finished pic.twitter.com/ejjy1OLQHR

— Kumi (@KumiTuckerWNYT) July 10, 2019

However, during the summer, food can also be a challenge for many children. 

"Kids are out of school and a lot of kids, we have a lot of kids around here, and they depend on school breakfast and school lunch.  We thought maybe we'd help them out a little bit," said cafe owner Donnie Graham. 

For the summer, Graham's Lansingburgh Cafe on 112th Street is offering free breakfast for children weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. 
It was the idea of Amber Mattey, who works there. Owner Donnie Graham says he doesn't want to see kids going hungry.

Graham’s Lansingburgh Cafe in Troy is offering free breakfast 8:30 to 9:30 to neighborhood kids under 18. Many kids rely on school food, & Donny Graham doesn’t want them to go hungry. Story at 4 & 5. pic.twitter.com/7vB6KPJeuh

— Kumi (@KumiTuckerWNYT) July 10, 2019

"It's just a small token, just a couple eggs and toast," he said.  "And that could actually help these kids a lot. That's why."