Giving Tuesday Fundraiser for Brooklyn Book Bodega

My name is Michele Fontalvo, you may know me from my work with Brooklyn Book Bodega since 2020. Now, as a Program Coordinator I get to be behind the scenes driving our mission forward, while making lasting connections with individuals and local organizations. As a mother, I have seen my two elementary, middle school aged children soar in literacy. From writing poems, comics, and zines, to finishing books while setting new records to beat the last. This is in large part due to the home collection we were able to build because of Brooklyn Book Bodega. 

Every child deserves a bookcase full of stories. But not all children have the opportunity to grow up in homes with books. 

That’s why I’m fundraising for Brooklyn Book Bodega this Giving Tuesday. 

Brooklyn Book Bodega is a nonprofit with the mission to increase the number of 100+ book homes for kids 0-18 in NYC. They do this by giving free books to kids, hosting free events, and hosting community-based literacy programming. 

Since December 2018, Brooklyn Book Bodega has given out more than 900,000 books to over 300,000 readers. The impact of their work is real, tangible, and immediate. They know that reading is transformative, and that becoming a reader has countless benefits. Reading helps kids gain new vocabulary and knowledge, do better in school, and ultimately have more opportunity in life. 

By expanding book access and literacy for local children, Brooklyn Book Bodega is making New York City a more literate and equitable place. This Giving Tuesday, I’d be honored if you considered supporting their work!