2020 was a year like no other. Despite pandemic challenges, Bernie’s Book Bank remained laser focused on providing free quality books for under-served children. Our 2020 Impact Report shares the highlights of the innovative ways we collected books, distributed books, engaged supporters and raised funds while adhering to recommended COVID-19 safety guidelines. 2020 Impact Report […]
Bernie’s Book Bank is proud to host its first ever virtual Pop-Up Shop! For the month of March only the entire line of Bernie’s Book Bank hoodies are on sale. Choose from four styles (see gallery below for more pictures): RE*D Chicago Flag Blue Hoodie Gray Slouch Neck Hoodie Black Signature ‘B’ Hoodie White Signature […]
Zebra Technologies, a longtime strategic partner of Bernie’s Book Bank, recently published a children’s book about inclusion featuring their mascot, Zippy. In “Zippy’s Special Gift” Zippy the Zebra learns everyone has a special gift, including herself. The book was written by Therese […]
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to negatively impact lives, your support enables us to positively impact the lives of local under-served children. The map below illustrates how we continue to increase book ownership, as we have distributed 112,000 free quality books in the past three weeks!The blue pins on the map indicate where we have […]
Dear Bernie’s Book Bank Supporter,First and foremost, THANK YOU! to all who have donated to the “Change Their Story” campaign. Your dollars are hard at work changing the story for under-served children across Chicagoland.In the two weeks since we launched this campaign in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bernie’s Book Bank has distributed more than […]
The children we serve have been disproportionately affected due to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Books at home are needed more than ever, especially in the absence of e-learning in many low-income communities. Access to reading materials ensures education will continue outside of the traditional classroom. Books can do more than help with learning, […]
The snowy Chicagoland weather didn’t stop volunteers from making the trek to Bernie’s Book Bank on January 24 and 25 for Volunteer-A-Thon. Volunteers helped to sort, sticker and pack books for local under-served children. To keep energy high over the course of 12 hours, volunteers had the chance to guest DJ and win prizes. Children […]
Ricobene’s of Chicago ranks high in our list of the best lunches available in the Chicagoland area. I had heard rumblings of an amazing sandwich in my infancy as a book banker, but nothing could have prepared me for what USA Today calls “The Best Sandwich in the World.” A bold claim maybe, but for […]
The Bernie’s Book Bank drive team takes their fried chicken and chicken wings very seriously. So, when we’re in Antioch and are craving the best wings around, we head over to Wings Etc.* Aside from the fact that they have phenomenal wings, both boneless and bone-in, they also serve an array of fun tasty sides. […]