Lehigh Valley Students from Low-Income Schools Receive New Books for Children's Book Week

Books Distributed at Event in Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM, Pa., May 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Last Wednesday, every student at Vitalistic Therapeutic Charter School (VTCS) in Bethlehem, Pa., received three brand-new books of their own, thanks to First Book and C&S Wholesale Grocers.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101214/DC17316LOGO-b)

VTCS is one of 60 schools and programs in the Lehigh Valley serving low-income children that received grants. Altogether, 10,000 new books will go to Lehigh Valley schools, all paid for by the grants from First Book and C&S Wholesale Grocers.

"We're so glad to have the opportunity to help these heroic educators and program leaders get new books for the kids that they serve," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. "Even after the money from these grants has been spent, these organizations will be part of the First Book network, able to access affordable new books and educational materials and raise the quality of the education they provide."

First Book and C&S Wholesale Grocers announced the results of the Lehigh Valley outreach campaign at the Bethlehem school on May 4. Local C&S Wholesale Grocers employees and First Book staff members participated in reading activities with the students as part of Children's Book Week. VTCS also received additional funds to purchase hundreds of new library books through First Book.

"Our support of First Book is a long-term investment," said Gina Goff, Director of Community Involvement at C&S Wholesale Grocers. "We believe that improving literacy – inspiring children to love books and reading – leads to increased opportunities, better outcomes in school and in life, and decreased poverty.  First Book's impact was obvious in the excitement we saw on the faces of the kids at the Vitalistic Therapeutic Charter School."

"We are very thankful for the books and other library resources," said Dr. Nancy L. Egan, Acting CEO of VTCS. "The students' lives have already been impacted by receiving books to keep and take home to read to their parents.  The books we received about healthy living will be integrated into our summer program.  First Book and C&S brought sunshine to Vitalistic!"

PHOTO EDITORS: Download high-resolution photos and captions from the event here.

About First Book

First Book has distributed more than 80 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada.  By making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and the elevating the quality of education. For more information, please visit us online or follow our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

About C&S Wholesale Grocers

C&S Wholesale Grocers of Keene, N.H., is the largest food wholesaler and, according to Forbes magazine, the 10th largest privately held company in the United States. The company distributes food to supermarkets, retail stores and military bases across the country. Currently, C&S serves about 3,900 stores from more than 50 locations in 11 states. Among our customers are many of America's best known companies, including Stop & Shop, Giant of Carlisle, Giant of Landover, Shaw's, Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P), Ralphs, Safeway and Target. In Pennsylvania, the company proudly employs more than 2,580 people at warehouses in Bethlehem, Dunmore, DuBois and Harrisburg/York. 

SOURCE First Book