This summer, Chatham Reads, a program of the Chatham Education Foundation and Chatham County Schools, is partnering with CORA to provide free books at five of their 13 SNACK! distribution sites. When families come to pick up their groceries, each child can choose a book to take home and keep.
CORA–a nonprofit that serves Chatham residents facing food insecurity–first partnered with Chatham Reads when they opened their new pantry in Pittsboro in 2023. Chatham Reads stocks gently used books in the pantry’s waiting area for children to take when their families visit the pantry. At each visit, each child may take home one book. “Chatham Reads is excited to expand its partnership with CORA,” said Heather Bochicco, Chatham Reads program associate. “By providing books at distribution sites, we will be able to give hundreds of books to children whose families come to pick up groceries this summer.”
CORA’s SNACK! program provides Chatham County children with two-weeks worth of food at a time from mid-May to mid-August. During the school year, many families rely on free or low-cost meals at school for their children, so SNACK! helps ensure kids are getting fed during the hungriest time of year for many families. Last summer, CORA served 1,327 children with fresh produce, milk, and nutrient-dense, shelf-stable staples–or 186,000 pounds of food.
“We know that food is just one piece of what kids need to thrive,” said Daisey Samayoa, CORA’s program manager. “By adding books to our SNACK! distribution sites, we’re nourishing both bodies and minds this summer.”
As there are five grocery pick-ups throughout the summer, each child enrolled in the program could potentially take home five books by summer’s end. On June 9, the first day of the program, at one of the sites, 100 children took home books along with their groceries.
To be able to distribute books at all five sites all summer, Chatham Reads needs your help! If you have new or gently-used children’s books to donate or would like to host a book drive in your neighborhood, or at your business or church, please contact Heather Bochicco at heather@cefmail.org.
CORA is a nonprofit that serves residents facing food insecurity. CORA aims to build a community without hunger by collecting and purchasing healthy food for distribution through its food pantry, related programs, and network of local partners. For more information, please visit www.corafoodpantry.org or contact Rebecca Hankins at rebecca@corafoodpantry.org or 919-545-4296.