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Toronto store provides free books for children in low income neighbourhoods

Click to play video: 'Free books offered to children who need them most'
Free books offered to children who need them most
WATCH ABOVE: Children's Book Bank, located near Regent Park, provides free books to children in low income neighbourhoods who can't afford books of their own. Susan Hay has the story in this week’s Making a Difference – Jan 4, 2016

TORONTO- The Children’s Book Bank opened its doors eight years ago, and today this little store front operation gives out 200 books per day.

“The book bank is a children’s literacy charity,” said Carolyn Madonia, managing director of  The Children’s Book Bank.

“Unfortunately for a lot of children, it is not possible to own books and we know how important it is for literacy, for academic success in life for children to have their own books.”

All the books are either new or gently used and come from families and schools doing book drives.

“This is the only facility we really found that was a centralized area for children’s donations and everything that they gave out was completely free to the kids who need it,” said Jill Patterson, book donor.

“When they pick their book, they bring it, show it  to us, we stamp it for them and that means it is their book to keep,” said Madonia.

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“It is so great to see them develop and become great readers and just enjoy being able to come here.”

 

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