MARQUETTE — A pair of libraries in Marquette County are among 56 statewide participating in a free lunch program this summer.

The Feeding America-West Michigan organization, based in downstate Grand Rapids, will provide the food for the initiative, according to Shay Kovacs, Feeding America-West Michigan program manager.

“It started in 2019 in the Grand Rapids area,” Kovacs said. “This year, we decided to expand into the Upper Peninsula. We have no way to project (how many people) will use the program.”

In Marquette County, the Peter White Public Library in Marquette and the Negaunee Public Library in Negaunee and participating. Starting Monday, June 2, children (18 and under) and developmentally delayed adults up to age 26 can receive nourishing meals at participating libraries during the summer at no cost, according to information provided by Feeding America-West Michigan.

All meal options are nut-free, and various meal options including vegetarian and gluten-free will be available as well. Examples of meal choices include tuna salad, chips & cheese, tortilla sandwich, hummus, and more. The program will end on Friday, Aug. 29.

Program growth has been significant, Kovacs said. In 2024, for example, 34 participating libraries across Michigan provided 45,000 meals. This summer, with the number of libraries increasing to 56, it’s projected that 90,000 meals will be provided.

“People can just show up,” Kovacs said. Income questions will not be asked.

Marissa Marquardson, PWPL youth services assistant department head, said officials there are unsure how many meals will be served this summer.

“That is the golden question,” she said, noting this is the first time PWPL has participated in such a program.

“These are pre-packaged, shelf-stable meals,” Marquardson said. Recipients can either eat on premises in the library’s designated eating spaces or take the meal to go.

In the U.P., four counties and a total of 11 libraries are involved. They include:

• Marquette County

Negaunee Public Library
319 W. Case St., Negaunee, MI 49866
Monday and Thursday
Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Peter White Public Library
217 N. Front St., Marquette, MI 49855
Tuesday and Friday
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

• Alger County

Munising School Public Library

810 M-28 W., Suite A Munising, MI 49862

Monday – Friday

Noon – 1 p.m.

• Chippewa County

Bayliss Public Library
541 Library Drive Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Wednesday – Friday
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

DeTour School & Public Library
202 S. Division St DeTour Village, MI 49725
Tuesday and Thursday
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Drummond Island Library
29934 E Court St, Drummond, MI 49726
Monday and Wednesday
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Pickford Community Library
137 E. Main Street Pickford, MI 49774
Wednesday and Friday
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Mackinac County

Brevort Township Library
1941 W. Church Rd., Moran, MI 49760
Wednesday
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Les Cheneaux Community Library
75 E. Hodeck St., Cedarville MI 49719
Wednesday
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Engadine Library
W13920 Melville St., Engadine, MI 49827
Tuesday and Thursday
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Mollie R. Kahl Community Library
11185 W. 2nd Street, Rudyard, MI 49780
Wednesday and Friday
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Bud Sargent can be reached at 906-228-2500. His email address is bsargent@miningjournal.net