Dozens of authors and creators have joined the Book Industry Charitable Foundation to help launch the Now More Than Ever, I Stand with Bookstores fundraising campaign to encourage book and comic lovers to stand with their community stores in challenging times.
Until June 2, stores across the U.S. will feature displays highlighting in-store purchase and/or donating to Binc. The first $50,000 in donations received will be matched dollar for dollar, thanks to the generosity of Binc ambassador and bestselling author Amor Towles and other authors/creators. You can donate here.
Binc noted that with the growing uncertainty regarding federal funding to support local community resources, the challenges against First Amendment rights, and overall financial insecurity, "store employees are at greater risk of harassment and not being able to withstand and navigate a personal crisis." Requests to Binc for help have increased 8% over last year and the average amount to resolve a crisis is also rising.
"Book and comic people need our support more now than ever," said Binc executive director Pam French. "They are on the front lines, working to preserve the right to free speech, the open exchange of ideas, and the freedom to read. The work of bookstores and comic shops matters more than ever."