As the first day of school approaches for South County children and teens, the Weber Road Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 4444 Weber Road, is preparing for its annual free after-school meals program.

Beginning Aug. 24, students are invited to stop by the library after school to enjoy a free, nutritious meal. The meals, available for those ages 5-18, must be eaten on-site at the Weber Road Branch. Various activities will also be offered.

These free after-school meals will be available at the Weber Road Branch from Monday through Friday from 2:45 to 4:00 p.m. for the entirety of the 2026-2027 school year.

Though the sole branch to do so in South County, the Weber Road Branch is one of four St. Louis County Library locations offering this after-school meal program. The other libraries are the Lewis & Clark Branch in Moline Acres, the Natural Bridge Branch in Normandy and the Prairie Commons Branch in Hazelwood. Both the Lewis & Clark Branch and the Natural Bridge Branch will offer meals from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., while meals will be available at the Prairie Commons Branch from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Meals are provided by Operation Food Search, a hunger relief organization based in Overland, Missouri. Each year, Operation Food Search distributes more than $32 million worth of food and necessities to community partners in 24 counties across Missouri and Illinois.