Bend bookstore, NeighborImpact bring books to C.O. youth

Roundabout Books, a Bend bookstore that has been open for about three years, was looking for ways to increase business in order to pay off its small business loan early. The store’s owner, Cassie Clemans, is passionate about books and the benefits of reading, so when NeighborImpact suggested a partnership, it seemed like the perfect fit.

Now through the end of June, customers at Roundabout Books can purchase children’s books to donate to NeighborImpact’s Head Start program.

Head Start serves economically disadvantaged families by providing children ages 3-5 with high quality pre-kindergarten education. But Head Start funding does not allow NeighborImpact to purchase books for children to take home, keep and build their own home libraries — something that has been found to be a key contributor to academic success in early childhood.

Recent findings published in the journal Social Science Research show that raising a child in a home filled with books positively impacts his or her future academic growth and job attainment. Specifically, the study found that when it comes to standardized tests, “Regardless of how many books the family already has, each addition to the home library helps children do better.”

With the help of Roundabout Books and the customers who shop there, NeighborImpact hopes to gift a new book to 450 economically disadvantaged children in Central Oregon.

To make a profound impact on upcoming generations while supporting local business, consider a book-buying trip to Roundabout Books in Bend this June.

NeighborImpact is a 21 Cares for Kids partner.