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:
