Mayor Scanlon Calls on Community to Support Buffalo’s MLK Children’s Book Drive

Buffalo, New York - In recognition of the 2025 MLK, JR. Day of Service, Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon announced that, in partnership with the Division of Citizen Services, Buffalo's AmeriCorps VISTAS and Buffalo Public Schools, he is hosting a City of Buffalo Dr. MLK, Jr. Children's Book Drive, with a special focus on financial literacy. The book drive began on Friday, January 17th and will continue through Friday, February 28th.

Mayor Scanlon said, "I'm calling on our entire community to support our Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Children's Book Drive. With a special focus on financial literacy, we are interested in collecting fun books for kids that will help teach them about giving, saving and spending. Please join us by taking part in this great service project, a collective effort to help set up our young people for a lifetime of financial freedom."

Children's books that teach kids about the importance of giving, saving and spending money are essential topics. By equipping children with resources to develop financial knowledge, we empower them to make informed decisions and set them on a path of financial freedom. Dr. King envisioned a "Beloved Community" built on collective action and shared responsibility. In an article for the Morehouse College student newspaper, Dr. King wrote: "Education must enable a man to become more efficient, to achieve with increasing facility the legitimate goals of his life. Education must also train one for quick, resolute, and effective thinking. To think incisively and to think for oneself is very difficult." This drive reflects that vision by providing educational resources to help children think critically about their finances and achieve long-term success.

New or gently used books will be distributed to elementary, middle, and high schools in the Buffalo Public School District. Books can be dropped off at the following locations, from now until Friday, February 28, 2025.

Buffalo City Hall and its partnering hubs

• Lobby of Buffalo City Hall / 65 Niagara Square

• Delavan-Grider Community Center / 877 E Delavan Avenue

• The Belle Center / 104 Maryland Street

• Gloria J. Parks Community Center / 3242 Main Street

Buffalo Police Department

• Buffalo Police Department - A-District / 1847 South Park Avenue
• Buffalo Police Department -B-District / 695 Main Street
• Buffalo Police Department - C-District / 693 E. Ferry Street
• Buffalo Police Department - D-District / 669 Hertel Avenue
• Buffalo Police Headquarters / 68 Court Street

For more information about the Book Drive, contact [email protected]. For any media related questions, please contact Mike Read at 716-245-8332 or [email protected].