MENDOTA - Our nation is in a literacy crisis. Although 100 percent of Kindergarteners report wanting to read for fun, by 4th grade that number drops to 54 percent. And by high school, that number is at a staggering 19 percent. The good news is there are simple things we can do to help.

Book ownership matters! A 20-year global study showed that children who have plenty of books in their home complete more education and earn more per year.

In partnership with Graves-Humes Public library, Jennifer Bast (Foulk) hopes to promote literacy and inspire a love of reading at a young age in local youth so they do not fall to these statistics. 

Bast is asking the community to join her and Graves-Hume Public Library in supporting the families of Mendota through the chamber’s event “Mendota Christmas.” They hope that each child attending this event will go home with a free book. Each $25 donation will provide 2-3 children with a new book, a simple way to give back to the little ones and ensure they have a new book in time for the holidays. Books will be distributed via Graves-Hume Public Library.

The goal is to raise $5,000 by midnight on Sept. 30. Combined with 50 percent donation matching from Usborne Books & More, this will provide the City of Mendota with $7,500 in books for the children. With just 200 donations of $25, this goal can be reached.

Donations can be made at

https://www.gofundme.com/f/christmas-books-for-mendota. All donations are tax deductible.

“It has been one of my greatest joys over the last five years to partner with this amazing community in support of literacy. We have given the children of our town over $10,000 worth of books in that time,” Bast said. “Thank you so much for considering this fundraiser.”