Children Are Delighted With Free Book Giveaway

By Jennifer L. Warren

POUGHKEEPSIE – Ask “Chef Dave” what is really important, especially now, and he will tell you right away.

“Food is essential. Nutrition is essential,” affirmed the Food Service Director of the City of Poughkeepsie School District.

With those two vital necessities at the forefront, Chef Dave (as he is affectionately referred to), who has been overseeing the critical summer meal distribution in the School District the last couple of months, was presented with the opportunity to assist in delivering not only nutrition to District students, but also books. Involved with several partnerships, including Cornell Corporative Extension, Chef Dave was approached by Bintou Hinds about a book giveaway being conducted by MVP Healthcare. The creative ideas began to flow, and soon Chef Dave reached out to a MVP Public Relations person, suggesting merging the book giveaway with the meal distribution, providing two of those absolute essentials: food and reading.

Last Tuesday at both The New Hope Community Center at 9am and Clinton Elementary School later at 11am, as well as two more sites on Wednesday (Rip Van Winkle Tower and Harriet Tubman Terrace) that possibility became a reality. With schools and libraries forced to close at the onset of COVID-19, there have been very limited opportunities for many children to access the Internet or even get their hands on books for several months. Last week, Poughkeepsie City School District students, chiefly in grades K-7, had the special opportunity to receive age-appropriate books to keep, bringing them sheer delight.

“The children were just so happy to be able to choose their own books, as many as they liked,” said Chef Dave. “We also made it a very festive, fun setting; MVP staff dressed in all red and many people attended, such as; some police officers, Mayor Rob Rollison and a District Elementary Principal.”

The marriage of these two pivotal necessities: food and reading was a great success, tangibly showing children how important both remain, despite school doors not being able to open for in-school instruction next month. The event was a further testament to how diligently school personnel continues to work to support its children during these especially trying times. It’s a mission MVP Healthcare is committed to as well, especially when it comes to keeping children intellectually stimulated.

“Literacy is a critical, life-long skill that can transform a child into a resourceful and independent adult,” said Jacqueline Marciniak, MVP Healthcare’s Community Engagement Leader. “It is important for children to read during the summer so they can retain the skills they learned during the previous school year and don’t fall behind.” Marciniak added, “We are thrilled to be able to support the City of Poughkeepsie and their goal of bringing books to children that they can relate to, engage with and enjoy reading.”