PORCH Launches ‘Planting Hope’ Children’s Book

Chapel Hill, NC December 1, 2016 — PORCH, a local nonprofit hunger relief organization, successfully completed a Kickstarter campaign on November 11, 2016 by exceeding its goal to raise funds to support printing of its children’s book, Planting Hope. This whimsical story is about a bickering garden that looks past differences and focuses on the things that we all need in order to thrive. The book was written and illustrated by kids for kids, with guidance from writer Susie Wilde and illustrator Peg Gignoux. The collaboration mirrors how PORCH has planted a seed that has nourished an entire community and brought people together for a common purpose. The objective of the book project is to inspire others to take action and have a positive impact on their communities, and to encourage other communities to replicate the PORCH model.

With the successful completion of the Kickstarter campaign, over 1000 copies of the book have been printed and PORCH is launching distribution of the book around the community. Books are now available for a $20 donation at Weaver Street Market stores (Carrboro, Southern Village, and Hillsborough) and at the Fifth Season Gardening store in Carrboro. Future locations will be announced through the PORCH website (www. porchcommunities.org). Proceeds from the book will support printing of more books and provision of free copies of the book to all 30 of the young artists and illustrators, all 19 school libraries in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools, the three public libraries in Orange County, 12 food pantries served by PORCH, and directors of each of the 10 PORCH affiliates. Nearly 70 donors have already provided over 175 books to public schools and nonprofits, including 100 books donated to children at one public school.

The creation and printing of the book has been generously supported by the local community. On December 5, 2016 PORCH will be hosting an Open House at its monthly food sort at St. Thomas More Catholic Church to celebrate the launch of the book with the community. Community officials, including Carrboro Mayor Lavelle and Chapel Hill Mayor Hemminger, will be attending the Open House. PORCH co-founder Susan Romaine states “We are thrilled and grateful for the response to Planting Hope and are excited to see it in print and distribution. We are eager to spread the word about PORCH and inspire other communities”.

Artwork from the book will be shown at Frank Gallery at 109 E. Franklin Street between December 7, 2016 and February 5, 2017, and then placed on permanent display at the Rogers Road Community Center where many of the young artists participated in the project.

About PORCH

PORCH, Inc. is an all-volunteer, nonprofit hunger relief organization that provides healthy food and other assistance to thousands of families living in poverty. Neighborhood coordinators, donors, and volunteers are always needed and appreciated by PORCH. Please visit the PORCH web site at www.porchcommunities.org to see how you can help.

To arrange interviews concerning PORCH, please contact Susan Romaine at (919) 619-3408.