Youth Charity League has launched “Book it Forward”, a program to collect books for children served by Meals 4 Kids, a program operated by Meals on Wheels People. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted children’s literacy, especially in underserved communities. Many of these communities are without access to e-books, internet and physical books. Youth Charity League is encouraging both its members and the community at large to donate new and gently-used books that can then be delivered to children who receive Meals 4 Kids, a program that serves qualified children and families within the City of Portland experiencing food insecurity.
Books will be accepted at the Youth Charity League headquarters at 10950 SW 5th Street, Suite 245 in Beaverton between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on May 17, 24; June 7, 14, 21
Books will be received, cleaned and remained untouched for 5 days. Upon packaging, all handlers will be masked and gloved. Books will be sorted by age group and packaged in cellophane.
Donors are asked to deliver donated books in a brown paper bag labeled by age (not accepting infant and toddler at this time) Please label ages 6 – 8; ages 9 – 12; 13+ Young Adult Readers; Any age – Spanish language books. Donors can drive and drop – just pop the trunk and YCL volunteers will remove the books from the vehicle.
About Meals on Wheels People: Meals on Wheels People has been changing lives, one meal at a time, since 1970. We provide more than a meal to thousands of older adults in the greater Portland metro area. Our service not only alleviates hunger and social isolation, but allows seniors to live independently with dignity in their own homes. Aging in place reduces depression, falls and hospitalization as well as the high cost of institutional care. For more information, visit: mowp.org.
About Meals 4 Kids: The Meals 4 Kids program serves qualified children and families within the City of Portland experiencing food insecurity who are also experiencing any of the following: Chronic condition or illness of caregiver or child; lack of facility to prepare meals; lack of ability and/or transportation to access food resources such as food pantries; other barriers impacting access to food resources and/or ability to prepare meals. Meals 4 Kids is funded by the Portland Children’s Levy.
About Youth Charity League: In 2017, some Portland moms got together with the idea of creating a family-friendly volunteer organization to connect parents, caregivers and kids to local charities. The goal was to instill a sense of community service and civic responsibility in young children in the most inclusive and easy way possible – by modeling that behavior and engaging in volunteer activities together. For more information, contact Arlene Unverzagt at [email protected] or call 503-568-6104.