Buddig, RIF Team up for Children's Literacy

Buddig lunchmeats and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) have teamed up this fall to sponsor a series of donation events nationwide to help nourish young minds. Buddig will also donate a minimum of $100,000 to RIF in support of children’s literacy programs. The events are part of the “Be A Reader” tour, which will make stops in Oakland, Calif., Charlotte, N.C., Bentonville, Ark., San Antonio, Texas, and Detroit Mich.

“Good nutrition and access to good books are the fundamental building blocks to early learning,” said Tom Buddig, executive VP of marketing for Homewood, Ill.-based 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. They’ll also learn about healthy eating habits and how to make nutrition a part of daily life through discussions and activities.

In addition, Buddig and RIF will donate a 10-title book collection – chosen by RIF literacy experts - to each school’s library featuring entertaining food-themed books.

“Access to books and early literacy resources is critical to improving reading proficiency for our nation’s at-risk youth,” said Judy Cheatham, VP of literacy services for the Washington, D.C.-based 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.