Building our library

Our new medical clinic's new children's waiting area is already filled with books awaiting readers of all ages.

Bread for the City supervolunteer Marie Hoffman (left) and Sandy Meredith (right)

When Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church (CCPC) in Northwest DC learned about the beautiful new space and its empty shelves, they held a book drive during October to make sure that every child visiting the clinic could find a book to read (and maybe take home). They collected more than 300 books for all reading levels: board books for the tiniest hands, picture books, easy readers, and chapter books for tweens and teens.

Then CCPC's Weekday Nursery School also found out about the new clinic, and they dedicated part of their Book Fair to the book drive and brought in nearly 150 more books. Now all the new parents and children coming to Bread for the City's medical center can come browse the shelves for something to read while they wait.

We've been distributing books to our pediatric patients for some time now (read more about our Reach Out and Read program, which provides a new book for each child per medical clinic visit). More books, of course, are always needed and welcomed. Please contact Erin Garnaas-Holmes at eholmes@breadforthecity.org with any donation offers or questions. Thank you!

Many thanks to Steve Robertson, Associate Pastor, Joan Rademaker, who combed all the library book sales in her area and filled up 4 boxes with books, the Mission Committee, which approved and promoted the book drive, Sandy Meredith, who carried boxes and bags of books and was the most joyful booster of the book drive, Cindy Walsh, Director of the Weekday Nursery School, and Kristen Best, who organized the book fair.

(And many thanks also go out to Cynthia Krus and George Corey, who made this new children's waiting area possible through a donation to the capital campaign in honor of the Krus-Corey Family.)

Lastly, a reminder that you can join us to see this space, at the Grand Opening of the new center on January 7th. RSVP at rsvp@breadforthecity.org.