On the hierarchy of basic needs, books are not quite as important as food, but close, according to Food Bank of South Jersey officials.
That s why the regional Food Bank is partnering with another local nonprofit, BookSmiles, to collect and distribute children s books to families in need. Now, when parents and children go to distribution events for food, they can walk away with a few titles, too.
The partnership started in February and is the first of its kind in the 36-year history of the Food Bank, according to Marie Alonso, the nonprofit s communications manager.
Since then, the Food Bank has collected more than 22,000 books to distribute through its network of more than 200 satellite pantries in the region, which include churches and other community organizations. The nonprofit has started the effort in Burlington and Camden counties but will soon expand to Gloucester and Salem as well, Alonso said.