Empowering Literacy: NCFL and Book Outlet’s Generous Donation to Book Harvest
Durham, N.C. – In a remarkable display of generosity and commitment to literacy, the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) and Book Outlet have joined forces to donate over 11,000 books to Book Harvest, a Durham-based nonprofit dedicated to family learning. This significant contribution, facilitated through Book Outlet’s Giving Tuesday promotion, aims to foster literacy among North Carolina families.
Book Outlet, a leading bargain book retailer, leveraged its Giving Tuesday initiative to enhance literacy outcomes by getting books into the hands of children and families. NCFL played a crucial role in connecting Book Outlet with Book Harvest, ensuring the efficient distribution of the donated books to families who will benefit the most.
“At NCFL, we know that access to books in the home is a key predictor for early learning and literacy success,” says Dr. Felicia C. Smith, President & CEO at NCFL. “I can think of no better way to celebrate National Reading Month than to partner to build home libraries, strengthen literacy skills, and encourage multigenerational learning for families across North Carolina.”
Wilf Wikkerink, CEO of Book Depot Inc., emphasizes the transformative power of books: “We believe that every book has the power to transform a life. This donation of over 11,000 books to Book Harvest represents our commitment to getting more books into more hands across communities. By supporting organizations dedicated to literacy and education, we’re not just distributing books—we’re distributing opportunities for discovery, learning, and growth.”
Ginger Young, founder and CEO of Book Harvest, highlights the impact of collaborative efforts: “This partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing literacy needs in our communities. These books will help us continue our mission of ensuring every child has a home filled with books, empowering parents as their children’s first teachers, and creating communities that nurture a love of reading from the moment a child is born.”
NCFL works alongside Book Harvest and other organizations as part of the North Carolina Statewide Family Engagement Center (NC SFEC). This initiative is in line with NCFL’s vision to establish coordinated and aligned family learning systems in communities across the country. These systems enable parents and children to learn and thrive together, creating stronger communities for generations to come.
Since 2011, Book Harvest has provided more than 2.4 million books to families, ensuring that parents have the tools to ignite and strengthen their children’s literacy. With programs grounded in evidence, Book Harvest believes that literacy starts at birth, in the home, powered by parents, and nourished with books. North Carolina families interested in accessing free books through Book Harvest can visit bookharvest.org/get-books to learn more.
The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) is a national nonprofit that has worked for over 35 years to eradicate poverty through education solutions for families. NCFL’s vision is to establish coordinated and aligned family learning systems in 60 communities by 2030, built with and for families, to increase education and economic outcomes and create thriving communities. For more information, visit familieslearning.org.
Book Outlet is a division of Book Depot Inc., a leader in the retail and wholesale bargain book industry with over 40 years of experience. Their business model connects surplus inventory with eager readers through multiple distribution channels, offering affordable literature without compromising quality. To explore their selection, visit bookoutlet.com.
This generous donation marks a significant step towards fostering literacy and building home libraries for families across North Carolina, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to develop a lifelong love of reading.
KNCT 