After 30 years of service, the San Francisco-based nonprofit Children’s Book Project is receiving a proclamation from City Hall for its work in giving away free books to Bay Area children.
This year’s Oct. 15 will officially be considered “Children’s Book Project Day” to celebrate the city’s oldest organization dedicated to promoting literacy for disadvantaged youth. The nonprofit has distributed free books to educators, after-school programs, homeless shelters, community centers and outreach programs since 1992.
Organizers will kick off an anniversary celebration at its Bayview District book bank and give away its three-millionth book to a child. Over 500 residents, including 300 children, will attend the celebration to hear from Bay Area children-book authors and illustrators.
“We’re honored,” Risa Schwartz, the nonprofit’s board president, said in a statement. “Our many community partners share this tribute — the teachers, librarians, public health clinics, etc. who come to our Book Bank to get books for their children, organizations like Latino Task Force and Homeless Prenatal Program who’ve worked closely with us through the years, and individuals and institutions who support us with book and/or financial donations.”