Books sought for food banks

Literacy Volunteers of Flathead County is collecting donated books for distribution at local food banks.

The free program will assist people using food pantries in the Columbia Falls, Marion, Whitefish, Bigfork and Kalispell areas and promote long-term literacy among needy families.

According to a press release from Literacy Volunteers , reading is an essential indicator of how well children perform in school. A correlation exists between poverty and the availability of printed material in the family home.

“The free distribution of books is a great jump start to literacy and a higher standard of living,” said Christine Hensleigh, Literacy Volunteers of Flathead County director. “We hope to recruit more learners, distribute free resources, and build skill levels as word spreads of our programs. Our Family Literacy at the Food Bank Program has been a wonderful way to let people know we are here, and how we can help.” 

If you would like to donate books, serve as a tutor or help organize incoming materials, call 257-7323, or stop by the Literacy Volunteers office at the north end of the Gateway Community Center. For more information, visit www.literacyflathead.org.