Hiawatha Library drive promotes reading, feeding

HIAWATHA - The Hiawatha Public Library and Hawkeye Area Community Action Program are joining forces to provide Hiawatha residents with food for their brains and stomachs.

This week, the Read to Feed program was launched in an effort to promote literacy and collect food for HACAP's food reservoir.

Program participants work toward a goal of reading 60 minutes per reading session and donate one nonperishable food item. They also can participate in events such a Scrabble Marathon on Saturday and a visit from Pete the Cat on Nov. 12.

Alicia Mangin, youth services librarian, said that although the library usually has a reading program during the fall, this is the first time it has worked with HACAP. Mangin said Erin Zaputil, adult services librarian, came up with the idea to pair the two causes.

'She broached the idea of helping (HACAP) gather nonperishable items and said, ‘Why don't we make this a reading program and have special events during the duration of the food drive and perhaps entice them to donate a little more?'  ” Mangin said.

Zaputil said because HACAP is based in Hiawatha, residents benefit from a stocked food pantry and an opportunity to strengthen reading skills.

The Hiawatha Public Library, along with libraries in Cedar Rapids and Marion - all of which are part of the Metro Library Network - also are taking part in a 'Food for Fines” drive through Nov. 30. For each nonperishable donation brought in, $1 in overdue material fines is to be forgiven.

Mangin said she would like to see residents participate in both programs.

'You might not join the reading program, but the goal is to help as much as we can, especially this time of year,” she said. 'Every product given is one more than we would have had otherwise.”

Zaputil agreed.

'We just thought it would be fun to combine giving back and supporting our mission here,” she said. 'I think we're just grateful for whatever people feel like giving.”

If You Go

What: Scrabble Marathon

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: Hiawatha Public Library, 150 W. Willman St.

Info: A sandwich lunch is to be served. The marathon lasts until players run out of words.

What: Pete the Cat's Rocking Thanksgiving Visit

When: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12

Where: Hiawatha Public Library, 150 W. Willman St.

Info: Children can meet storybook character Pete the Cat.