More than 10,000 literacy packets have been created by the Aurora Public Library District Foundation (APLDF) and distributed through preschools and food pantries in Aurora such as the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry (MWFP) and the Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The idea to provide books and literacy activities to children and families in underserved areas of the City was developed by the Foundation as a way to feed children’s minds and provide activities that could keep children engaged during the height of the COVID-19 shutdowns, when children weren’t able to attend school.
“The literacy packets were a great way to get books into the hands of vulnerable children through a partnership with the area food pantries,” said Laura Stoney, manager of the APLD Foundation.
Executive director Diane Renner of the MWFP has been distributing the books and accompanying literacy packets since the program began in May 2020.
“We have appreciated the APLDF for providing these books and materials to our guests. We have always been thankful to distribute them,” Renner said.
The next bi-lingual book to be distributed is titled, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and will be the ninth book they have distributed through this program.
Renner said the families look forward to receiving the packets and book. She said the children enjoy them and the families are benefiting from them as well.
“Every time we have passed them out, our guests have been thrilled to receive them. The books are not only good for the kids, but good for the bi-lingual parents who are able to practice their language skills by reading these books to their children,” Renner said.
Renner said she has been distributing the books through the East Side food pantry location, but this time, she will be offering the books to the residents who visit the West branch of the pantry.
“We wanted to give our guests who come to the West Side pantry a nice treat as well,” Renner said.
The Foundation provides an average of 500 books to the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, and the remainder are included for Aurora area preschools, SPARK, the Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center, and Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry.
— Laura Stoney, manager, Aurora Public Library Foundation