Disaster Relief: Restoring Communities

First Book provides resources that rebuild lives.

Restoring Communities

From Hurricane Katrina to catastrophic floods, First Book has distributed more than 5 million books to educators, kids, and families affected by disasters. We know how to work with first responders, communities, schools, and libraries to get the right resources in the right hands at the right time.

Ways to Help Restore Communities

100% of funds donated are used to provide books and resources, including basic needs essentials.

California Wildfires

We are working to support kids and families after the California wildfires. Support our work by making a donation today.

Hurricane Michael

Help us restore the communities affected by Hurricane Michael. Make a donation today to make books, hygiene kits, and other essentials available.

Hurricane Florence

Your donation will go twice as far — First Book – Charlotte is matching funds up to $10,000. One hundred percent of money raised goes to restoring communities.

Texas

We were humbled to distribute brand new books and basic needs items to Houston communities devastated by Hurricane Harvey.

Florida

We work to ensure that affected kids and families are able to get much needed items to restore a sense of normalcy after Hurricane Irma. Support our work by making a donation today.

U.S. Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico

We are still working to restore communities in the Caribbean. Help us get books and other essentials to kids who need them by making a donation today.

Recovering After the 2017 Hurricane Season

After the 2017 hurricane season devastated parts of the southern United States and Puerto Rico, First Book made resources available to educators and kids in all 4,300 zip codes affected by the storms. We delivered books directly to Houston and San Juan, and are still helping to restore schools, libraries, and education programs across the U.S. Read more about our work in our 2017 Disaster Recovery Impact Report, or in Charity Navigator’s reports on top-rated organizations responding to Hurricanes HarveyMaria, and Irma.

Know a Teacher Affected By a Natural Disaster?

Educators with students from low-income families, or those affected by disasters, can access the fund through the First Book Marketplace website and select books, notebooks, hygiene kits, clothing, school supplies, and other items that schools aren’t providing or parents can’t afford, and to help restock schools and libraries. To become eligible for funds, educators must complete the free First Book registration.

Graphic featuring The Pigeon by Mo Willems with text that says, 'Mo & Cher Willems want to double your gift! Give the joy of reading to TWICE as many kids in underserved communities when your gift is matched by the Mo and Cher Willems Foundation, up to $75,000. DON’T miss your chance to make your gift go twice as far!' with a button that says 'Donate now'.