Children's Book Bank

Donation Drive & Service Project

It is no secret that literacy is an important tool for kids in their development, intellectually, emotionally, and creatively. For many families in the Portland area, while access to libraries help, the reality is that kids that grow up with a library in their house are more likely to thrive. Our neighbors at Children’s Book Bank (CBB) have been working to help kids – especially those that may be housing insecure – have access to books and books with more direct and diverse representation that reflects the diverse identities of the kiddos. CBB also works to promoting literacy within families with a project called “Bonding with Books”.


In the days leading up, the kids Ministry will especially be discussing resiliency and stories of people who look like us or who we have a shared identity with. We are excited that we’ll be promoting stories of joy for our friends who may not have their identity represented in the books that sit on our shelves, or sat on our shelves when ‘we’ were kids.


We hope you’ll join the Kid’s Ministry in helping to address equity in education, better representation in books for kids, and helping support kids and families that may be resource insecure.

3 Ways to Help

There are a few ways you can be a part of this intergenerational project! Here are 3 options. Be sure to read the details below:

  • Donate New Books by purchasing and donating new books.
  • Donate Used Books by sharing your previously loved books.
  • Share your time in the Fireside Room after worship on Sunday, March 5.

We understand you may have gotten rid of your used children’s book 2 weeks ago, 2 years ago, or 2 decades ago! You can still support the good work of Children’s Book Bank by purchasing new books with diverse representation that is disproportionate in donations that CBB tends to receive, and disproportionate by the number of authors. You can find titles through this Amazon Wish List. We encourage local book stores, as you’re able, and you can either purchase them and drop them off on March 5th in Collins, or have them delivered directly to FUMC by indicating the recipient as “FUMC Kids Donations” (1838 SW Jefferson St., Portland, OR 97201).

Follow the guidelines below that have been provided by the Children’s Book Bank as we provide donations that help.

Quality

  • New or gently used books
  • Restorable damage (acceptable): Minor writing on books, small rips on pages, slightly faded or worn colors, stickers on book
  • Unrestorable (not acceptable): Pages missing or fully torn, significant writing on or in book, liquid or food damage / stains, bite marks

Grade Level

  • Up to a middle school level; no minimum age

Content

  • Books that spark joy
    Story books
  • Culturally relevant books featuring diverse and underrepresented protagonists
  • Appropriate for school
  • Not accepted: books about religion, holidays, potty training, new siblings, aging, death, medical, body, and learning to read (specifically focusing on phonetic pronunciation such as Phonics)

Format

  • Board books, soft and hard cover picture books, early reader books, chapter books, and graphic novels
  • Not accepted: magazines, coloring books, encyclopedias, textbooks, ex- library books, ex-school library books, classroom sets (marked with names)

Fireside Room | March 5th | After Worship until 12:30pm
Whether it’s 30 minutes or an hour, come to the Fireside Room after worship to serve alongside families as we help clean up books and assemble “Bonding with Book” kits.


Due to the safety of the Children’s Book Bank staff member and their policies, this is a mask required event. We’ll provide additional masks at the door for you.

Questions

If you have any questions, contact Drew Hogan (dhogan@fumcpdx.org).

More News & Updates