Some of Gwynedd's food banks will offer more than just nutrition to vulnerable families during November. Thanks to the Books Council of Wales’ schools Love Reading scheme, some of the county's food banks will be giving free books to children with the families’ food packages.
Residents of Llanrug, Cwm y Glo, Dyffryn Nantlle, Dyffryn Ogwen and elsewhere will be offered the books when they receive their weekly food packages from food schemes at Cynllun Bwyd Llanrug, Yr Orsaf in Penygroes and Pantri Pesda, to name but a few.
Councillor Paul Rowlinson who represents Gwynedd Council on the Books Council of Wales said: “This is an exciting scheme which encourages children of all ages and backgrounds to pick up a book and make reading a lifelong habit.
“We are aware that economic and social challenges are creating obstacles for parents to introduce books to their children, so through this scheme, the parents can take advantage of collecting their food and also resources for their children to read at home.”
Comprehensive packs of 50 books are available for food banks and if a food bank needs more than one pack to distribute in their locations, they are welcome to contact the Books Council to order them.
One Councillor who is proud to offer more than just food from the food scheme at Llanrug and who organises and packages the food from the old Cwm-y-Glo school, is the local county councillor, Berwyn Parry Jones (pictured above on the right with Cllr Paul Rowlinson).
“The food bank in our area is a vital resource for some of our vulnerable residents. It is heartbreaking that we have to organise such resources in the twenty-first century whilst we are meant to be a civilised society.
“Together with the Community Council in Llanrug and my colleague, Councillor Beca Brown (above on the right), we pick up FairShare food from Bangor every Friday, bring the food to Cwm y Glo, package it and then distribute to 40 households weekly.
As a result of Cynllun Bwyd Llanrug, over 50 adults and almost 25 children receive community support each week.
“Additional donations of books for children to read is another opportunity for us to support families who are currently struggling. We are very grateful to the Books Council of Wales for giving us the opportunity to reach children, who might find it difficult to find contemporary, new books free of charge. The gift of a book is a priceless gift for children,” said Councillor Berwyn Parry Jones.
For more information about the project, go to the Books Council of Wales website www.llyfrau.cymru/en/lovereading or email: [email protected]
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