Feed Hungry Minds
Share stories you love.
The bookworms in your family can regularly send new or gently used books to families hungry for reading material.
Possible recipients
This is a project through Family-to-Family, a national hunger relief organization that serves over 430 families in 20 of our poorest communities. For project details, go to the One Book at a Time information page.
What you’ll need
- A new book at the reading level of your assigned child
- Paper, pen, and other writing materials
Instructions
- Email books@family-to-family.org with your name, address and phone number.
- After you are matched with a child, go to the store and pick out a book with your child. Or together peruse children’s books online and order one that way. (The Family-to-Family Amazon store gives a percentage of your purchase back to the nonprofit.)
- Send a letter with the book. Depending on his or her age, your child can write the letter with you or draw pictures.
- Send a new book each month.
Reflections
- How would it feel to not have any books in our house?
- Why is learning to read so important?
- What might it feel like to depend on another family to receive books and other necessities?
- What is your favorite book?
Resources
- Wild About Books by Judy Sierra (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2004). Ages 4-8. When a librarian accidentally drives her bookmobile to the zoo, the animals learn the joy of reading.
- The Hard-Times Jar by Ethel Footman Smothers (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003). Ages 4 and up. Emma dreams of owning a real book. When she goes to school, she is astonished to learn the wonders of the library.
- The Library by Sarah Stewart (Square Fish, 2008). Ages 5 and up. Passionate reader Elizabeth Brown comes up with a splendid idea for what to do with her too many books.
- My Librarian Is a Camel by Margriet Ruurs (Boyds Mills Press, 2005). Ages 9-12. Ruurs explains how librarians in 13 different countries provide books to patrons (for example, by camel in Kenya).
Take it further
- If you are able, sponsor more than one child. Perhaps Family-to-Family can match each of your children to a separate child.
- Organize a book drive in your school or neighborhood. Ask your local book store or library for donations.
Still looking?
Browse our top 5 book lists
for a big-hearted story.