Food Share

Research has shown that there is a direct link between poverty, hunger and illiteracy. With that in mind, Marion-Polk Food Share has developed partnerships with children and families commission’s in Marion and Polk counties through the "Reading for All" initiative to help distribute books to children throughout the two-county area.

The "Reading for All" model is designed to engage the diverse communities within Marion and Polk counties in efforts to support literacy and is part of the continued efforts to support children, youth and families in the two counties.

Gently used or new books are donated by community members and local organizations and brought back to the Marion-Polk Food Share warehouse. Community volunteers then come in to sort the books into various age groups and package them to prepare for distribution. Marion-Polk Food Share delivers these books to children during the Spring Break Free Lunch Program, as well as providing books to our member agencies to distribute to clients who are coming for service.

Last year, Marion-Polk Food Share helped in Reading for All’s efforts to distribute more than 20,000 books into our community. This year, we are trying to break that record and get more books into the hands of kids!

To learn more about the Reading for All Initiative or to volunteer to help sort books, please contact: