Maine Businesses, State Chamber Collect More Than 2,000 Books for Maine Kids in Statewide Book Drive Access to books to help build kids’ learning skills a higher priority than usual due to COVID-19 pandemic

Central Maine Power Company (CMP), Hannaford and Hussey Seating collected nearly 2,000 books for Maine children in a book drive organized by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce over the summer. Access to books for kids of all ages, particularly younger readers, is critical to learning and helps close the achievement gap between economically disadvantaged kids and their peers from higher income families. Books and reading also help build learning skills that enable kids to do better in school, increasing the likelihood they will graduate high school, pursue a post-secondary degree or credential, and have successful careers as adults. 

Early in the summer of 2020, when educators indicated providing access to books for kids was a higher priority than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maine State Chamber initiated the book drive to help fill the need. Between company monetary donations and new and gently used books donated by their employees, CMP, Hannaford and Hussey Seating participated in collecting the nearly 2,000 books. 

Working with Educate Maine and the Maine Department of Education, many books were shared with kids at Summer Meal Sites across Maine. Many more books continue to be distributed statewide through Maine’s County Teachers of the Year as kids start the school year.

Employers who would like more information on the Maine State Chamber’s book drive, or are interested in Scholastic Books’ discount offer to help get books to Maine students, should contact Megan Diver at mdiver@mainechamber.org.