'Gresham Reads' Puts Free Kids' Books In Local Restaurants

GRESHAM, OR — The city of Gresham and several area restaurants are teaming up to inspire children and families to read more while dining at their favorite local haunts. Mayor Shane Bemis and his wife Alix will help kick off the Gresham Reads program Thursday, Sept. 21, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Sugar Cubed Cakes, 101 N. Main Ave.

The program, according to city officials, will see five Gresham restaurants host city-provided bookshelves. About 300 books have been donated for kids and families to read for free while dining, officials said, adding that kids can even take books home if they end up finding something they love.

"Studies routinely show the critical importance of childhood literacy," Mayor Bemis said in a statement Tuesday. "Gresham has a laser focus on our children and families right now, and the Gresham Reads program will give us a new and exciting way to make age-appropriate books accessible for our youngest residents."

A 2016 report from the Commission on Children and Families to the Gresham City Council reportedly emphasized the importance of reading as it pertains to early childhood development; ostensibly, the Gresham Reads program is a result of that report.

Along with Alix Bemis, the mayor will also be joined at the kick-off event by Darlene Frazier, the 2016 elementary educator of the year for the Oregon Council for the Social Studies, and other school officials from the Reynolds, Gresham-Barlow, and Centennial school districts.

At the kick-off event, the Bemises will read to second grade students from Hogan Cedars Elementary, who will also be allowed to take a book home with them, officials said.

"I deeply appreciate the restaurants who've agreed to partner with us and host a Gresham Reads bookshelf," Alix said. "As a mother, I can attest to the fact that there is no greater joy than watching a child grasp the keys to literacy and build a true passion for reading and language.

"In agreeing to host a Gresham Reads bookshelf, these businesses are demonstrating to our children that reading and education are high priorities in Gresham," she continued. "Our hope is that this program will expand to even more Gresham businesses in the coming year."

The five restaurants currently signed up to participate with Gresham Reads are:

• Sugar Cubed Cakes, 101 N. Main Ave.
• Blondie's Pizza and Whiskey Bar, 112 N. Main Ave.
• Tortilleria y Tienda De Leon, 16223 N.E. Glisan St.
• Shari's Café & Pies, 881 S.W. Highland Dr.
• Burgerville, 2975 N.E. Hogan Dr.

"As a business owner, I am proud to be a Gresham Reads location," said Sugar Cubed Cakes owner Kayla Brown. "Not only do we get to support local kids and encourage their love of reading but this program will hopefully bring in new customers to all of the participating restaurants. I think it is a win-win for the community."

Donated books came from The Children's Book Bank, Friends of Multnomah County Library, and Title Wave Books. Anyone interested in donating more books can drop off their donations during business hours at Gresham City Hall, 1333 N.W. Eastman Pkwy., Monday through Friday.

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