by Kelly McCabe, Youth Services Coordinator
In December the Moriarty Public Library held its third successful Grocery Bingo program as a creative way to address local food insecurity. The program is a family-friendly bingo game where participants play for non-perishable grocery items. Moriarty Public Library Youth Librarian Ashley Williams heard about the program when she attended the Association of Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) Conference held in Albuquerque this past September. At the conference she attended a presentation entitled RISE Programming: Really Incredible Simple & Easy in which Julie Elmore, Library Director of the Oakland City-Columbia Township Public Library highlighted the program as a success at her library. “I thought it was so cool and had to implement it!” Williams said.
The program requires minimal supplies and set-up – grocery items are sourced by donations from the community – and can be well advertised through existing library communications. In December, 100% of attendees received grocery items, either as game prizes or through self-selection at the end of the program. Williams sees this program, which will run monthly, as a definite success – family fun and engagement while supporting food access within the community. It also reinforces the benefit of library staff attendance and participation in professional development opportunities – learning from peers and bringing new ideas to local communities.