Display set up at the Deer Park Library for the Bites & Books event, inviting the community to donate food and support local families in need.
This April, the Spokane County Library District is turning the page on two pressing issues, literacy and hunger, by launching Library Giving Day and the Bites & Books food drive. These twin campaigns aim to nourish both minds and bodies, ensuring every child in the community has access to books and basic nutrition.
As spring blossoms, so does the spirit of giving at the Spokane County Library District (SCLD). Library Giving Day and Bites & Books: Turning the Page on Hunger are running side by side throughout April, offering residents a unique opportunity to support young readers and families in need. Whether it’s helping a child discover the joy of reading through a free book or donating shelf-stable food to fight hunger, both initiatives reflect the library’s deeper mission: to create a stronger, more equitable community. With the support of local donors and partners, SCLD continues to meet the needs voiced by its patrons, empowering youth academically and ensuring that no child goes hungry.
Library Giving Day Supports Young Readers
Library Giving Day returns with the goal of putting a new book into the hands of every young reader who registers for the Spokane County Library District’s Summer Reading Program. With last year’s campaign resulting in a significant boost in participation and literacy engagement, the community is once again encouraged to donate. The month-long fundraising effort aims to raise $5,000.
Your financial donations help provide age-appropriate books to every child and teen who signs up for the SCLD Summer Reading Program. This effort fosters a love for reading and equips young learners with resources proven to support long-term academic success.
Even though Library Giving Day is officially recognized on Tuesday, April 1st, donations are welcome throughout all of April. The initiative has already shown its value in the community. Highlights from 2024 include:
- Over 1,500 children registered for the Summer Reading Program
- 33% increase in total registration
- 59% rise in participation among school-aged youth (ages 5–17)
- Highest engagement among students in grades 2–4, critical years for literacy development
How to Donate
Community members can contribute in several ways:
- Online Donation
Visit the official Library Giving Day page to donate securely online: Supportscld.org/library-giving-day/#donate-now
- By Mail
Send cash or check donations to:
Library Foundation of Spokane County
4322 N Argonne Rd
Spokane, WA 99212
- By Phone or Email
For questions or alternative giving methods, contact:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (509) 893-8200
Bites & Books Food Drive Fights Hunger Locally
Food insecurity is on the rise in Spokane County, and the Spokane County Library District (SCLD) is taking action. Through April 30th, all library branches, including the Deer Park Library, are participating in Bites & Books: Turning the Page on Hunger, a month-long food drive collecting canned and packaged nonperishable food. This year’s effort includes partnerships with Spokane Public Library, Liberty Lake Municipal Library, Second Harvest, and KHQ.
The initiative responds directly to community feedback gathered by SCLD. In conversations with residents, library staff heard a shared vision for a welcoming community where everyone has access to basic resources. Food insecurity was identified as a top concern.
As defined by the USDA, food insecurity is the “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods.”
In Spokane County:
- 13% of the population is food insecure
- 19% of children face food insecurity
- Partners INW, a major Spokane Valley food bank, saw a 74% increase in demand this January compared to last year
- 32% of its clients were new food bank users
How to Donate
Drop Off Food Donations
Bring nonperishable, shelf-stable food items to any Spokane County Library District location or any distributing food banks during regular hours. Items should be:
- Canned goods (soup, vegetables, beans, etc.)
- Packaged staples (rice, pasta, cereal, etc.)
- Shelf-stable snacks and meals
Places to Donate in Deer Park:
The Deer Park Library: located at 208 S Forest Ave.
Monday-Wedesday 10am–8pm
Thursday-Saturday 10am–6pm
Sunday 1–5pm
The Greenhouse: located at 125 N Park Ave.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12:30pm to 2:30pm
Feeding Kids at the Library
Children are especially vulnerable to hunger. Since 2016, the Deer Park Library has offered a federally funded snack program for youth under 18. The program now also operates at Cheney, North Spokane, and Spokane Valley libraries, and will expand to Airway Heights this summer.
In January 2025 alone, the program served 1,387 snacks, providing essential nutrition to local kids after school and during breaks.
You can join our libraries and our community in supporting each other. Please consider donating funds to Library Giving Day as well as the Bites & Books programs. Help tomorrow look a little brighter for your neighbors.
