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.
###
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
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... Read more
Disney to Donate up to One Million Books in 2017 through First Book; More than 57 Million Books Distributed To Date Emma Watson to Narrate “Magic of Storytelling” PSA Presented Across Disney|ABC Television Group’s Multiple Platforms GLENDALE, Calif., January 4, 2017 – Today, Disney and ABC announced it will donate... Read more
NEW YORK CITY, December 15, 2016 – Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, together with Jimmy Fallon, will make a donation of $1,000,000 worth of new books to First Book, including Fallon’s #1 New York Times bestselling title, YOUR BABY’S FIRST WORD WILL BE DADA. The books donated to First Book by... Read more
Educators and students are invited to pick out free books at kickoff event on December 17 WILMINGTON, Del., December 13, 2016 – The State of Delaware is partnering with nonprofit social enterprise First Book to enrich the lives of thousands of children in need across the state by putting free... Read more
Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books Announce First Book as Election Winner! NEW YORK CITY, December 7, 2016 — Earlier this year, Dr. Seuss’s beloved character the Cat in the Hat declared his candidacy for president of the United States (CatInHat4Prez.com, #CatInHat4Prez, @catinhat4prez), and the results of his... Read more
Campaign marks release of “A Poem for Peter,” a new children’s book based on the life of beloved children’s author Ezra Jack Keats WASHINGTON, December 5, 2016—First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise that has distributed more than 150 million books to kids in need, and Penguin Random House, a global... Read more
WASHINGTON, November 28, 2016 –The nonprofit social enterprise First Book and Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, are partnering to provide up to 550,000 brand-new, high quality books to children in need. Every $3 donated online at firstbook.org or sent to First Book with a postmark through... Read more
In partnership with First Book, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundations Announces a Toy and Book Relief Effort for North Carolina Flood Victims Resulting From Hurricane Matthew WASHINGTON, November 22, 2016—The Marine Toys for Tots Program, with support from HASBRO, FIRST BOOK, The Walt Disney Company, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and... Read more
New Research From First Book and Molina Healthcare Identifies Emotional Wellness Resources as Teachers’ Top Health Education Priority in Low-income Communities WASHINGTON, November 4, 2016 – Molina Healthcare, a national health care organization, and First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise that provides new books and educational resources to low-income communities,... Read more
Campaign will unlock funds for new books to children in need WASHINGTON, DC, November 1, 2016 – First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise that has distributed more than 150 million books, and Pearson, the world’s learning company, have launched a new campaign dedicated to raising the importance of literacy in... Read more
