A partnership between Children's Aid, the Department of Education and the Administration for Children's Services is aiming to nourish the bodies and minds of families during the pandemic.
When learning went online, Dr. Brenda Triplett with Children's Aid went on a mission.
"Our main priority was to ensure that all of the children had devices in their homes," she says. "We had to make sure that they had an iPad or a tablet. We know that learning remotely depended on it."
But a conversation with a frustrated teen who lost her school work due to technology issues started a new mission for Triplett, when she suggested they calm down by reading, but they said they didn't have any books.
So from there, Dr. Triplett's search to find books was on and it was a successful one.
"We have received about 15,000 book donations and it all came in in about a month and a half," she says. "We are really thrilled at the reception, how this is being received."
They decided to deliver some directly to foster children and also include them for families and grab-and-go meal sites.
The books went quick, and they are always open to more donations. They're also looking at new ways to help, like providing workshops.