From: Lbhcove_at_aol.com
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:55:19 -0500 (EST)

Here, in Cape Coral, Florida, we have a good many people who must use food banks as a source. These are not necessarily homeless people but many lower-middle class income families who have been caught in our economic me ss.

It is heartbreaking to see young mothers and fathers waiting in line with

toddlers hoping to get food supplies to carry them through.

I have initiated what I call BOOK IN A FOOD BAG whereby we put a book in

each bag of food for a child to keep. The organization knows the ages of children so we are selective as to the books given out. Many parents are thrilled with this, especially around the holidays. Many come back saying "The book was riche r to us than the food." Perhaps such a program could be started nationwide.

Monies are raised from local businesses, private donations, etc. It has

been an enormous hit here.

Lee Bennett Hopkins

ORIGINAL WORKS

BEEN TO YESTERDAYS: POEMS OF A LIFE (BOYDS MILLS PRESS) *STARRED REVIEW/SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL CHRISTOPHER AWARD SCBWI GOLDEN KITE HONOR BOOK

CITY I LOVE (ABRAMS) *STARRED REVIEW / SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL *STARRED REVIEW / PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOKS OF 2009/ CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

NEW COLLECTIONS:

AMAZING FACES (LEE & LOW) ILLUSTRATED BY CHRIS SOENTPIET *STARRED REVIEW / PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

SHARING THE SEASONS (SIMON & SCHUSTER/MCELDERRY BOOKS) ILLUSTRATED BY DAVID DIAZ *STARRED REVIEW / KIRKUS *STARRED REVIEW/ BOOKLIST
Received on Thu 11 Nov 2010 09:55:19 AM CST