The Raven Book Store in Lawrence, Kan., has launched a program called Book Benefactors that will bring surprise deliveries of books to people "who could really use them right now."
Through the Book Benefactors website, people can nominate someone (including themselves) who they think could use a curated selection of new books. Nominating is free and done through an online form, and the Book Benefactors care packages can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. or hand-delivered in the Lawrence area.
People can sponsor the care packages by becoming a Book Benefactor, also through the program's website. Book Benefactors also receive a 15% off code to use on The Raven's website when they donate.
According to store owner Danny Caine, the program raised more than $1,000 in its first few hours and more than 20 people have been nominated for surprise deliveries. The idea for the program, he explained, came from a chat with author Deb Olin Unferth, who is local and taught at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. She gave the store a call because she saw that The Raven is offering free local delivery, and she wanted to pay for some surprise deliveries to local people.
"I was so gobsmacked by her generosity," Caine recalled. "I also really loved her idea--there are folks who are out of work, or quarantined, or both. Books won't solve those problems but they'll help."
Caine also reported that things at the store are strangely busy. Not in terms of foot traffic, but the store's new cheaper shipping and free local delivery have proven very popular, so now he and his staff are "scrambling" to fulfill online orders. So far Caine has not had to cut anyone's hours.
"My goal is to not cut anyone's pay for as long as I possibly can," he said. "Bookselling is a thin-margin business, but so is working for a bookstore, and I want to do everything I can to keep The Raven's booksellers from any financial hardship in a very difficult time."