Supporters of Literacy in Deschutes County hosts book sale to help children with literacy

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The group Supporters of Literacy in Deschutes County, also known SOLID, held their second book sale over the weekend to fund child literacy programs.

SOLID has received over $2,000 in funds so far and plan to host another book sale in November.

Group co-founder Toby Bayard said her main concern is how children have been affected by distance learning, where they are interacting with a screen to learn, and not a person.

"From Kindergarten through third (grade), you're learning to read,” she said during Sunday’s half-price sale at the group’s facility near Ponderosa Elementary School. “From fourth grade on, you're reading to learn. If you get into fourth grade and you can't read to learn, you're going to probably drop out. Some of these kids have had a single parent, or both parents worked, and they didn't have the time for their child, to help them learn remotely."

Bayard said SOLID will offer reading assistance programs in the fall, to help struggling students. They want to not only help youngsters develop strong literacy skills, but a love of books in children.

Another book sale is planned for September. More information: https://literacyindeschutes.org/