Books for Kids gets grant

THE GORGE — Books for Kids Columbia Gorge (BFKCG), a local nonprofit promoting literacy development by providing new, high-quality books to kids who need them the most, was recently awarded 12 Book Award grants totaling $23,480.

This award will go to 19 literacy programs across the Mid-Columbia, providing or expanding home libraries for more than 1,800 children and their families.

BFKCG has partnered with Four Rivers Early Learning Hub to turn a portion of its Oregon Birth-Five Literacy Promotion funds into Book Award certificates to early childhood care and education programs in Hood River and Wasco counties, according to a press release.

Childcare partners at Columbia Gorge Community College additionally wrote applications to potential participant programs, and $6,500 in Book Awards were thus provided to seven more programs that serve 677 children.

“Our mission is informed by research showing that books in the home lead to greater educational attainment and skills in adulthood,” said the press release. “Our efforts target pro-grams with at least 70% of children served residing in low-income households. This is the threshold required to access the First Book Marketplace, which is essential for participation in the Books for Kids Columbia Gorge Book Award program.”