Megan Lantz, is Director of Development for Bernie's Book Bank in Lake Bluff. An astounding statistic, for those of us who grew up in a house full of books like me, 32 million children grow up without books in their homes! Since 2009, Bernie's Book Bank has distributed over 31 million books to over 900 Title One Schools and early education centers. The goal is to build a library in every child's home that doesn't have one. They distribute 8 books every year from birth to sixth grade - that's 96 books that child can call their own. Their source of books are from people like us who are uncluttering from our children and grandchildren. They also work with more than 50 publishers, and distributors. With the help of volunteers, to process each book (sorting and boxing) it costs about $2 to per book. Volunteers at Bernie's Book Bank are of all ages and abilities. Over a third of their volunteers are under the age of 17.

 

There are a few ways we can help Bernie's Book Bank by hosting book drives, or as an individual or group volunteer, or donate. Megan said a donation of $16 provides a bag of 8 books for 1 child, $400 provides a bag of 8 books to a classroom of children for the entire year.

 

We will have another group volunteer opportunity next month.