The Millions: Book Giving Season

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November 17, 2007

Book Giving Season

The holidays are nearly upon us, and longtime Millions reader Laurie wrote in to share a number of ways to give back with books this year.

Room to Read works in developing countries with low literacy rates to create kids books in local languages using local writers and artists.
A Peace Corps rep asks for books in Honduras.

Laurie also adds: "Our local B&N is conducting a book drive to put new books into the hands of local kids who would otherwise not have any to call their own. B&N will only accept books bought in the store, though (or, one clerk told me, 'possibly books that look new if you can show a receipt for them'). I understand the need to provide a poor kid something new, not a 'hand-me-down,' but this approach is so self-serving it detracts from the charitable aspect. Then again, it puts more new books in the hands of kids who have none in their homes, so maybe turning charity into a for-profit business tactic isn't totally evil? Or maybe donating to a nonprofit like First Book is a better choice."

Here are more links to nonprofit book charities:

- C. Max Magee @ 11:33 PM ~ comments: 3 ~ Links to this post

Comments:

The timing for this post couldn't be more perfect. I was trying to find this organization based in D.C. that takes shipments of books and distributes to inner city children. I know they have small shuttles around the beltways that can pick up big loads as well.

If anyone can remember the organization, can you please post? I don't see it listed in any of the links here.

Thanks!

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