WRITER | MIKAYLA BALK
PHOTOS | POWER BOOK BAGS
Building Community: Power Book Bags
Winter 2025 Issue
Books are often a child’s first love. Stories open their eyes to new worlds, fresh perspectives and thrilling characters. Reading to children develops their language and vocabulary skills and teaches them about the world. It also strengthens family bonds. Unfortunately, children from disadvantaged communities don’t always get to enjoy the benefits of early childhood reading.
That’s where the importance of community comes in. Power Book Bags aims to close the gap in literacy skills and early childhood learning for those who can’t afford reading materials. Kids of all ages can benefit from the services they provide, the primary service being a gift bag full of books, writing materials, sensory toys and finger puppets. As of January 2025, the organization had given away more than 600,000 books.
Kara Gregory, executive director and founder, is passionate about literacy development in the home. “Giving children access to education in the first five years of life and beyond is powerful,” she says. “Language and literacy in the home give families an interaction with their children.”
Gregory explains that the more language spoken to a child before they go to school, the better they’re able to learn new things. They do better academically and socially as a result. Having more books in the home is also linked in research to how well children do later in life. Since 90% of the brain is developed in the first five years of life, giving them books is giving them the ability to thrive.
Play also advances the development of children. “As kids get older, they can use reading and writing materials to explore their own ideas, new places they haven’t been to, and imagine their future possible life, as well as make sense of their current life,” Gregory says. “The more that children can have these creative experiences, the more they’re able to open up other areas of their brains.”
The nonprofit relies on the kindness of others in the community. Volunteers make up every role in operating Power Book Bags. Four people are full-time in the organization, and many others contribute part-time. They sew bags, cut fabric, put stickers in the books and package things up. There are volunteers who do book deliveries, help with marketing, fundraising and checking books for content appropriateness. They always encourage people to volunteer and appreciate the help.
Power Book Bags is also fortunate enough to have a dedicated set of donors and wonderful organizations that allow them to write grants every year. “As the need for help goes up, the need for donations goes up,” Gregory explains. “Much like food pantries provide nourishment, books provide food for the mind. If kids don’t get that early in life, they won’t grow to their full capacity.”
Donations in the form of books are also welcome. They just ask that the books are new, because, as Gregory says, kids deserve to feel like first-class citizens. Often, they’re used to hand-me-downs, so gifting them something new feels special.
This is the second year the charity has hosted a fundraiser, the Sunset Soirée. The event is held at Shady Lane Cellars and features live music, food and drinks. Not only is it a great way to contribute to the greater good, but it’s also a fantastic method of meeting new people and forming connections.
The impact of quality education doesn’t end with the kids who receive the books.
“When you add books to a home, it changes the culture into one that’s more supportive, and that follows them when they become a parent. It’s a generational impact and a ripple that will affect people through time,” Gregory describes.
Without people who care, children wouldn’t receive access to the tools that spark their love for learning. The children we equip with reading skills today could be the scientists shaping the future decades from now. By supporting local nonprofits, we keep that love of learning strong.
Power Book Bags
13606 SW Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City
231-866-6199
PowerBookBags.org
