NEWS & UPDATES
We are pleased to announce this September we will be hosting TWO of our signature annual book distribution event, The Largest Book Party in St. Louis! We are so excited to bring this party to two different locations, and put books in twice as many hands.
Each invited group will choose between two different dates and locations that suit their kids and organization best. One at the James J. Eagan Civic Center in Florissant, and hopefully we're able to see some new faces this year with our addition of a Largest Book Party at Busch Stadium downtown.
These Book Parties are best for children ages 4-8. At both locations, expect the same story time, snacks, and of course new books that we bring to our Largest Book Party event each year! Each child who attends will pick out and take home 3-4 new books to call their own.
For our Recipient Groups, check your email for a Save the Date with more details! If we missed you, and you are an organization that serves children from low-income families, feel free to contact us at events@booksforstlkids.org for more information.
Our COVID-19 Response
Books for STL Kids has been quick to respond to the need for books for students who need them most. When we learned that many school districts and other organizations were providing free lunches for their kids, we knew we could offer a book as well to join the distribution method that was already in place. We call it “lunch and a book”, and over the course of seven weeks, we provided more than 3,000 new books to the following organizations:
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University City School District - 400 books + 200 bookmarks
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Ritenour School District - 597 books
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The Christ Call Jeremiah Ministry - 168 books
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Lift for Life Academy - 157 books
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Cahokia School District - 457 books
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Staunton School District - 320 books
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Wentzville School District - 826 books
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We also provided some books to Unleashing Potential, PAT Ferguson/Florissant, and Vashon Academy
GET TO KNOW US
Our Vision
Expanding children's literacy through book ownership.
Mission Statement
To increase access to new books for children of under-resourced families, inspiring their love of reading.
About Us
We are a 100% volunteer-run organization that reaches children through existing preschool and after-school programs, thus assisting these organizations in tackling illiteracy by providing new books to the children they serve. All books that are distributed by Books for STL Kids are brand new and are provided at no cost.
Locally, Books for STL Kids has given away more than 204,000 new books to children in the greater St. Louis area.
How We Do It
We provide only new books to children in two unique ways:
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We provide book grants to qualifying organizations that serve low-income children in the Greater St. Louis area. These recipient groups are awarded book credits to purchase books on the First Book Marketplace (www.fbmarketplace.org) at 50-90% off retail prices. The groups are able to select the titles and quantities that best fit the children they serve. These books are then shipped directly to the organization. All books given go home with the children so they can start a library of their own at home.
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We provide books directly to children at various community events throughout the year, including our signature project, The Largest Book Party in St. Louis.
Our next grant cycle
Our Summer Grant Cycle application deadline is June 30, 2023. See our Grants page for more information.
