ATLANTA — Edible Brands, a global leader in gifting and treats best known for Edible Arrangements, joined the Angel C. Reese Foundation and Our Kids Read to put 500 books into the hands of young readers during an Atlanta Dream game as part of a National Literacy Month initiative.
The Sept. 17 event brought together literacy, sports and community organizations at the Atlanta Dream vs. Connecticut Sun game, where young people received 500 free copies of Daddy and Me and the Rhyme to Be, the children’s book by Atlanta native, entertainer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Chris “Ludacris” Bridges.
Edible Brands sponsored the initiative, helping Our Kids Read and the Angel C. Reese Foundation create a literacy experience designed to encourage children to discover the joy of reading and continue reading at home.
Scholastic generously donated copies of Daddy and Me and the Rhyme to Be in support of the event and the organizations’ shared commitment to getting high-quality books directly into children’s hands.
“Atlanta is home for us, and investing in young readers here matters,” said Somia Farid Silber, CEO of Edible Brands. “We were proud to work alongside Our Kids Read and the Angel C. Reese Foundation to put 500 books into kids’ hands and create an experience that celebrated reading, community and connection. We think every day about how to nourish people, and that includes young minds. We hope the excitement these children experienced continues long after National Literacy Month.”
Daddy and Me and the Rhyme to Be celebrates creativity, family and the relationship between a father and daughter through music and rhyme. By distributing the book during a professional women’s basketball game, the initiative connected reading with an experience already bringing children and families together.
“We are honored to be part of this effort to make books more accessible to young people,” said Jahmal Lake, executive director and founder of Our Kids Read. “For us, the goal is not simply to give a child a book. It is to help create the support, encouragement and excitement that can turn reading into a lifelong habit.”
A Community Effort Focused on Young Readers
The initiative brought together organizations with complementary commitments to children, education and community engagement.
The Angel C. Reese Foundation works to empower girls and women through sports, education, financial literacy and other opportunities. Our Kids Read combines book distribution with reading mentorship and community-based literacy initiatives designed to help children become confident readers.
For Edible Brands, the collaboration provided an opportunity to support young people in its hometown of Atlanta while bringing together organizations using their respective platforms to make a tangible community impact.
The Angel C. Reese Foundation commented: “We were thrilled to help get books into the hands of children in Atlanta. Reading is fundamental to everything we do in life — health, civics, professional development and personal growth — and we were proud to help promote literacy in Georgia.”
The 500 books distributed during the game are intended to extend that impact beyond the arena by giving children a book of their own to take home, read and share with their families.
About Edible Brands
Atlanta-based Edible Brands® acquires, develops and manages a portfolio of consumer brands in the hospitality and food service sectors. Edible Brands has integrated an e-commerce platform with a network of locally owned stores worldwide to meet consumers where they are. Edible Brands’ growing portfolio includes Edible Arrangements® and Rōti® Modern Mediterranean. For more information, visit ediblebrands.com.
About the Angel C. Reese Foundation
The Angel C. Reese Foundation, established by professional basketball player Angel Reese, works to empower girls and women through sports, education, financial literacy and other opportunities while creating positive change in communities.
About Our Kids Read
Our Kids Read is a Maryland-based national 501(c)(3) literacy nonprofit that harnesses technology and human connection to empower everyday people to mentor children and inspire a love of reading. Through one-on-one reading mentorship, free book distribution and community-based literacy initiatives, Our Kids Read works to ensure children have access to both the books and caring support they need to become confident, lifelong readers.
Media Contacts:
Edible Brands
ediblebrands@kcsa.com
Our Kids Read
reading@ourkidsread.org
888-840-7323
www.ourkidsread.org
