Family Literacy Launches at Lebanon Food Pantry: Bringing Books, Art, and Shared Learning to Local Families
December 2025
Wren Works is launching a new Family Literacy Project in partnership with the Lebanon Food Pantry, designed to bring high-quality children’s books and joyful literacy experiences directly to families where they already receive essential support. With funding from the Ohio Arts Council, the Lebanon Optimist Club, and several pending grant requests, this yearlong initiative will begin in January 2026 and continue through December 2026.
Building Home Libraries, One Visit at a Time
Each month, every family visiting the Lebanon Food Pantry will receive a free children’s book to take home. Titles are selected for:
high-quality literature and high-interest themes
accessibility for a wide range of ages
availability in both English and Spanish
The goal is simple—and transformative: to ensure that every family has a growing home library filled with books that invite connection, conversation, and imagination.
In a community where the Food Pantry sees over 7,000 points of service involving children each year, the project is positioned to reach families who often face barriers to literacy resources. Wren Works anticipates distributing 1,800 books over 12 months—approximately 150 books each month.
Literacy + Art Enrichment: Family Events Designed to Spark Joy
Thanks to additional support from the Ohio Arts Council, the Family Literacy Project will also include literacy-based art enrichment activities, offered through quarterly family engagement events throughout the year. Held either at the Food Pantry or in nearby community spaces, these events will feature:
shared story time
hands-on art activities inspired by that month’s book
opportunities for parents and children to create together
teaching artists guiding families through accessible, joyful artmaking
These gatherings are designed to strengthen family bonds, encourage shared reading at home, and build a community of learners supported by books, creativity, and warm connection.
The Lebanon Optimist Club is supporting the project by contributing funds for books and family activities, helping extend access to families with the greatest need.
A Collaborative Model for Community-Based Literacy
The Family Literacy Project brings together several community partners:
Lebanon Food Pantry – hosting book distribution, engaging families, and supporting event logistics
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – encouraging families with children 0–5 to receive monthly books by mail
Ability Woodworks – creating a custom, handcrafted bookshelf to serve as a permanent book-distribution hub at the Pantry
These partnerships allow literacy support to meet families at a trusted, familiar community resource—removing barriers related to transportation, cost, or scheduling.
Looking Forward: Continued Growth and Pending Support
With confirmed funding from the Ohio Arts Council and the Lebanon Optimist Club, the project is launching from a strong base. Additional grant proposals are currently pending with regional foundations and community partners, which—if secured—will allow Wren Works to expand book selections, increase event capacity, and provide additional multilingual materials for families.
A Year of Connection Through Books and Creativity
The Family Literacy Project represents an innovative approach to literacy support: instead of asking families to come to literacy programs, Wren Works brings high-quality books, artmaking, and joyful shared experiences directly to families where they already are.
At its heart, the program is built on a simple belief:
When families have access to books and meaningful ways to enjoy them together, children thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.
Put Books in the Hands of Children, Families, and Educators
Across all our programs, Wren Works has seen firsthand the power of books to inspire curiosity, strengthen literacy, and build lifelong learners. This year, we aim to expand book distribution to:
Children attending camps and family literacy events
Educators participating in professional learning workshops
Families building home libraries at the Lebanon Food Pantry