TORONTO — McDonald’s Canada has partnered with First Book Canada to donate 400 brand new books in each province across Canada, 300 of which are to be donated to local community centres and 100 to be given away at McDonald’s Family Night.
The partnership was sparked in honour of Family Literacy Day and builds on McDonald’s Canada’s commitment to literacy in Canada,which includes a partnership with Kids Can Press to offer books instead of toys with its Happy Meals.
“We believe books are an essential building block to a greater future for kids, which is why we want to inspire Canadian families to come together and share in the magic of reading,” says Michelle McIlmoyle, senior national Marketing manager, McDonald’s Canada. “This partnership with First Book Canada further strengthens our commitment to literacy across the country and we’re thrilled to be working with a partner that strongly believes in improving access to educational opportunities for children.”
To celebrate and support Family Literacy Day, special literacy-themed McDonald’s Family Night events will take place in 10 cities across the country on Jan. 29, 2020 and will feature live readings from local authors.
Children attending one of the literacy-themed McDonald’s Family Night events will receive a copy of the author’s book to take home(100 available per event). Additionally, McDonald’s Canada and First Book Canada will donate new books to the 15 Ronald McDonald Houses across the country.
“In Canada, almost 25 per cent of households don’t have a single book,” says Tom Best, executive director, First Book Canada. “The partnership with McDonald’s Canada helps provide better access to literacy for so many Canadian youth, and it’s exciting for us to be a key player in putting books in the hands of kids and helping to spark a love for reading.”
