Community Spotlight: Grandma’s Love Brings Books and Food to NYC Kids

At First Book, we’re proud to shine a light on those making a difference in their communities through reading and education. One of these champions is Theresa, founder of Grandma’s Love, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting childhood hunger and promoting a love for reading in New York City.

Addressing Hunger and Inspiring Change

Nearly a decade ago, Theresa noticed a troubling trend–children frequently asking for extra meals. She recognized that hunger was a barrier to learning, and she knew she had to act.

That’s when Grandma’s Love was born. Starting at a local elementary school, the organization began providing backpacks filled with food for children and their families to take home throughout the school year.

Since then, Grandma’s Love has expanded into several schools, offering free book fairs, year-round food pantries, and even book vending machines in hospitals and schools. These efforts have helped meet children’s basic needs while nurturing a love of reading.

Book Vending Machines: A Creative Approach to Access

In 2017, Theresa spotted a book vending machine at a Georgia airport, sparking a new idea. After thorough research, Grandma’s Love discovered Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine from Global Vending. Instead of accepting money, these machines use tokens that children can use to choose from up to 25 brand-new books.

The first machines were installed in hospitals, where children facing stressful situations could find comfort in selecting a book of their own. Grandma’s Love also delivers extra books to hospital staff that don’t fit in the vending machine, ensuring every child who needs a book receives one.

The vending machines soon made their way into schools, where students earn tokens or “CARE Cash” by demonstrating cooperation, accountability, respect, or effort. A principal from one participating school has refilled their vending machine more than 50 times —proof of just how beloved this program has become.

What Makes Grandma’s Love’s Approach Unique?

Theresa is intentional about creating an experience that empowers children to choose the books they want to read. Every vending machine is stocked with:

• New Books: All books are brand-new, ensuring every child experiences the joy of opening a new book.
• Choice-Driven Selection: Kids get to choose their own books, with teachers helping to select titles that match students’ interests and needs.
• Bilingual Options: To serve New York’s many communities, vending machines include books in multiple languages.
• Durability: Picture books printed on Tyvek paper are a favorite for the hospital vending machines, as they can be sanitized regularly, ensuring they last and remain safe for young readers.

Making a Lasting Impact

Theresa and Grandma’s Love team’s dedication to children’s well-being and their access to books is a shining example of community leadership. Their work not only meets immediate needs but also creates lasting opportunities for children to thrive. Through her relentless advocacy and hands-on community work, Grandma’s Love is making a lasting impact on those they serve.

Join Our Network

Educators can join First Book’s Network — the largest online community of individual educators, professionals and volunteers dedicated to supporting children in need across North America — to bring new books, educational resources, and supplies to their classroom or program.