When Pittsboro’s CORA Food Pantry expanded in 2023 to include a larger pantry designed like a grocery store, the nonprofit created a waiting area for families to wait until their turn to shop. Because many parents bring their children along, a Chatham Reads volunteer suggested adding a small library in the waiting area, giving children the chance to choose a book to take home at each visit. With a mission to get books into kids’ hands—especially those without easy access—it made perfect sense to bring books directly to where families already were.
The library has been such a success—children have taken home 5,536 books since the Pittsboro pantry opened—that when CORA decided to open a second food pantry in Siler City, including a library was an easy decision. While the Siler City pantry opened in September 2025, weather delays and additional renovations meant the library has only been fully available to patrons since January. Approximately 400 books have been given to the pantry to date. About 264 of those—many of them bilingual—were provided by The Lisa Libraries, a national nonprofit dedicated to supplementing under-filled shelves and ensuring children have books of their own. Additional bilingual titles were donated through Chatham Reads’ wishlist at McIntyre’s Books.
“The response in Pittsboro shows us just how meaningful this resource can be for families,” said Heather Bochicco, program specialist for Chatham Reads. “We’re proud to bring the same opportunity to Siler City and expand access for Spanish-speaking families in western Chatham County.”
According to Pablo Narcizo Miranda, Siler City’s pantry manager, the kids are enjoying the reading area. “For many families, this is an unexpected and meaningful addition,” he said. “Seeing kids enjoy the reading area and leave with a book has been really special.”
Since its opening six months ago, the Siler City pantry has already met 12,404 requests for assistance, a number expected to grow as food prices and health care costs rise and changes to SNAP benefits take effect. As families work to make ends meet, Chatham Reads is grateful to offer a calm, welcoming reading space where children can pause, explore a book, and leave with something that puts a smile on their face. Even a few quiet moments with a story can make a difference during a stressful time in a family’s life.
As the pantry continues to serve more families, community support is essential to keeping the library welcoming and well stocked. Chatham Reads is seeking volunteers to help refresh and organize the space a few times each month. Those interested in volunteering can contact Heather Bochicco at heather@cefmail.org.
Community members can also support the pantry libraries by donating new and gently used children’s books. Donations are accepted at Chatham Reads drop-off locations around the county and help ensure that every child who visits the pantry can leave with a book to call their own.
Chatham Reads is a partnership between the Chatham Education Foundation and Chatham County Schools. Chatham Reads’ goal is to foster community partnerships that are dedicated to ensuring that literacy and reading resources are accessible to all Chatham County children.
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.