First Book and the Guru Krupa Foundation Provided More Than 20,000 Books to Kids in Need in 2016

WASHINGTON, January 5, 2017 – First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise, distributed 21,338 books and educational resources to kids in need this year in collaboration with the Guru Krupa Foundation, a private foundation that supports the preservation and acquisition of knowledge. First Book and the Guru Krupa Foundation distributed new books to 213 programs and schools serving children in need in Nassau County, New York; New York City; and the greater Los Angeles area. Since 2012, the Guru Krupa Foundation and First Book have provided 98,147 books and educational resources to children in need in the US and in India.

Access to books and a print-rich environment are leading indicators of a child’s educational success, but for the 32 million children growing up in low-income families in the U.S. alone, books are scarce. One recent study found that in a neighborhood in Washington, D.C., there was only one book per 830 kids.

“We at Guru Krupa Foundation believe that education is a cornerstone for future success in life,” said Mukund Padmanabhan, president of the Guru Krupa Foundation. “Supporting initiatives that bring the benefits of education to underprivileged children can lead to enormous future dividends, not only for the children but to society.”

“Thanks to the Guru Krupa Foundation’s generosity, First Book has been able to provide more than 20,000 new books and educational resources to children in need” said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. “All children deserve equal access to a quality education. This partnership allows First Book to give educators the tools they need to ensure kids succeed in school and thrive outside of class. For example, one teacher wrote to tell us how these wonderful books not only help her promote learning but also break down socio-economic barriers and build self-esteem in her classroom. This work is important. This work is making a difference in neighborhoods across Nassau County, New York City, and Los Angeles, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the Guru Krupa Foundation.”

Since 1992, First Book has distributed more than 160 million books to children in need. Through the award-winning First Book Marketplace, eligible educators can access low-cost and free high quality books, learning materials, school supplies, and essentials, such as warm coats, toothbrushes, and nonperishable snacks. First Book works with formal and informal educators in a wide range of settings – from schools, classrooms, summer school and park and rec programs, to health clinics, homeless shelters, faith-based programs, libraries, museums, summer food sites and more. First Book’s community of more than 300,000 educators is the largest and fastest growing educational network exclusively serving children in need.

Educators and programs working with children in need are invited to sign up with First Book at www.firstbook.org/register.

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About First Book

First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise founded in 1992 that has distributed more than 160 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada, which, with more than 300,000 members, is the largest and fastest growing network of educators exclusively serving kids in need. By making new, high-quality books and educational resources available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education. Eligible educators, librarians, providers, and others serving children in need can sign up at firstbook.org/register. For more information, please visit firstbook.org or follow the latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Guru Krupa Foundation

The Guru Krupa Foundation is a private foundation incorporated in New York State. The purpose of the foundation is to fund several charitable causes. These causes may be broadly classified as social, educational, or religious/cultural. For more information please visit www.guru-krupa.org.

Contact:
Melanie Boyer, First Book
mboyer@firstbook.org
202-639-0114