David Baldacci: Feeding Body & Mind

by Natasha Collin

Did you know that one in every four people seeking assistance at a food pantry is a child?

There is no question that a strong association exists between malnutrition early in life and late manifestations of intellectual impairment. Simply stated, there is a clear correlation between poverty and low-literacy skills.

While we all know food can keep one alive, it cannot, by itself, lift one from poverty; however, increased literacy skills can. That’s why New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci and his family foundation, Wish You Well Foundation^®, created the Feeding Body & Mind^SM (FB&M) program. The FB&M program has partnered with Feeding America and its nationwide network of food banks to collect new and gently used books and distribute them to food banks. By providing books alongside food, this program recognizes the direct and substantial link between nutrition and learning, and works to end the cycle of physical and intellectual undernourishment.

“By donating just one new or gently used book, you can feed a family in your community with intellectual curiosity, helping them grow and explore new worlds through reading,” Baldacci said. “We have collected nearly a million books since we started this program and will continue to do so while there is a need.”

FB&M provides a very easy, practical and significant way to make an impact on our nation’s children and families. More importantly, it provides a simple means to share your love of reading with those less fortunate.

Interested in participating? Simply bring a new or gently used book(s) to our upcoming David Baldacci event at the Gaithersburg Library on December 2 and your donation will be sent to our local food bank.

Natasha Collin is the Executive Director of the Wish You Well Foundation.