First Book Canada and Scotiabank partner to bring 30,000 books to kids in need

Montreal, QC (October 21, 2020)– First Book Canada and Scotiabank are working to close the educational gap exacerbated by COVID-19 by holding a Pop-up Book Distribution in Montreal to provide books to kids. Hosted by Moisson Montreal each year for the last six years, the 2020 Pop-Up will see 20,000 English language and 10,000 French titles available to educators, free of charge, to be distributed to high-needs families in the Greater Montreal Area.

As Canada has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, many children fell behind in school due to a lack of resources. According to a report from First Policy Response, low-income families were disproportionately affected due to limited access to internet or books of their own. This means thousands of children will be starting school this fall at an even larger disadvantage that their more affluent peers. That is why First Book Canada and Scotiabank are teaming up to give kids brand-new books of their own.

“This school year looks different than any other and that can be stressful and worrisome for both educators and students alike,” saidTom Best, Executive Director for First Book Canada,“Educators of kids in need are facing their greatest challenge yet as the pandemic worsens existing barriers to education. Books can play such a helpful role in dealing with those concerns. We are so thrilled to have the support of Scotiabank and their supporters along with the great team at Moisson Montreal to bring so many brand-new books in both French and English to school age students and community groups located here.”

“Scotiabank is proud to support First Book Canada’s focus of breaking down the barriers to education,” says Guylaine Duplessis, Scotiabank Senior Manager of Regional Marketing, Quebec & Eastern Ontario. “We recognize the importance of books in a child’s development and through our support of First Book Canada are pleased that more children will have access to their very own.”

Through the First Book Canada distribution, these books will go to Montreal based educators, who will send them home with the children they serve to enjoy.

About First Book Canada
Almost 25 per cent of Canadian households do not have a single book. First Book Canada is transforming the lives of kids in need by making brand new, high quality books and educational resources available on an ongoing basis. Through a market-driven model, First Book Canada is creating equal access to quality education affordable to its member network of more than 11,000 educators who exclusively serve kids in need. Since 2009, First Book Canada has distributed more than seven million books and educational resources to hundreds of thousands of kids across Canada.

Eligible educators, program coordinators, librarians, and professionals serving kids in need can register atwww.fbmpcanada.org/register. For more information, visitfirstbookcanda.organd follow our latest news onTwitter,Facebook, andLinkedIn.

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For media inquiries, contact:

Tom Best, Executive Director

First Book Canada

tbest@firstbook.org

866.732.3669 ext. 0130