Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and Buddig Be A Reader Campaign Announce National Fall Book Tour to Boost Children’s Literacy
Events support young readers with book donations and promote healthy eating
Chicago – (Sept. 21, 2012) – Since reading and good nutrition go hand-in-hand to support a lifelong love of learning, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and Buddig Lunchmeats have teamed up this fall to sponsor a series of donation events nationwide to help nourish young minds. The events are part of the Be A Reader tour making stops in Oakland, Calif., Charlotte, N.C., Bentonville, Ark., San Antonio, Texas, and Detroit, Mich. For a second year the lunchmeat brand will donate a minimum of $100,000 to RIF to support children’s literacy programs.
“Good nutrition and access to good books are the fundamental building blocks to early learning,” said Tom Buddig, executive vice president of marketing for Buddig Lunchmeats. “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring the Be A Reader tour as this is the perfect age for children to start making better food choices and to learn that healthy food can be delicious and fun.”
During the tour participating students will attend a read-aloud event and receive a new book for their home libraries. The students will also learn about healthy eating habits and how to make good nutrition a part of daily life through discussions and activities.
In addition, RIF and Buddig will donate a 10-title book collection to each school’s library featuring entertaining food-themed books. The book collection was selected by RIF literacy experts because the titles can be used to teach children to read, as well as how to choose and eat healthy foods.
“Access to books and early literacy resources is critical to improving reading proficiency for our nation’s at-risk youth,” said Judy Cheatham, vice president of literacy services for RIF. “Today there’s an average of just one book for every 300 children in low-income neighborhoods. Buddig Lunchmeats and the Be A Reader campaign are helping to close that gap and provide needed books to underserved kids.”
As the nation’s largest children’s literacy nonprofit, RIF has provided 400 million books to more than 35 million children since its founding in 1966. Due to RIF’s loss of federal funding last year, corporate funding and consumer advocacy have become critical ways to achieve the organization’s mission.
To learn more about the Be A Reader campaign visit www.rif.org or www.buddig.com.
About Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF)
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), founded in 1966, motivates children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life. RIF’s highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. Through community volunteers in every state and U.S. territory, RIF provided 4 million children with 15 million new, free books and literacy resources last year. For more information and to access reading resources, visit RIF’s website at www.rif.org.
About Carl Buddig & Company
Carl Buddig & Company, based in Homewood, Ill., has been nourishing families for more than 100 years with the very best in taste, variety and convenience. Now Buddig is nourishing young minds as a proud supporter of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF). Carl Buddig & Company is a family-owned, privately held company managed by the third generation of the original founder. The Buddig family business got its start as a butcher shop on Chicago’s south side in the 1880s. Since 1940, Carl Buddig & Company has offered thin-sliced lean meats for sandwiches, snacks and special recipes. Visit www.buddig.com for more information about Carl Buddig products.
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