We do! Despite our efforts to keep a lid on purchases, and frequent trips to the public library, books still seem to flood our shelves. All four of us are avid readers, and every room in our house has its own book shelf, often more than one. We are fortunate to have the kind of access we do to books of all kinds. Others are not so fortunate. Here are some sobering statistics:
In homes in middle income neighborhoods, the ratio of books to children is 13 books for every child.
In low income neighborhoods the ratio is 1 book for every 300 children.
1 for every 300?! Statistics like this are sobering, to say the least.
Dani Swope, a member of our church, has figured out a way to get books into the hands of children who need them. She founded a great organization called the Children’s Book Bank and this is where our next children’s book purge is going to go. Her organization takes book donations, cleans them up, and distributes them to low-income kids. The Oregonian just published a profile on the Children’s Book Bank, and I’m quite inspired by Dani’s vision and accomplishment. I hope you are as well.
Advertisement
Love the Children’s Book Bank–it’s a great charity!!
This is awesome. I’m gathering up my boys’ books they’ve outgrown and sending them in. It’s a great feeling. Thanks.