Help the Book Barn Reach 100!

Did you know that, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, 54% of U.S. adults read below the equivalent of a sixth-grade level, and 64% of fourth graders are not reading proficiently? Literacy is a challenge that affects every generation and can have a profound impact on education, employment, health, community engagement, and quality of life.

Last October, Good Shepherd introduced the Book Barn at Trunk or Treat to help encourage literacy and family engagement. Using our church van, we distributed free new books to children and families while inviting them to enjoy a meal from the Holy COW. Families were encouraged to slow down, sit together, and read, inspiring an even bigger vision.

Today, the Book Barn has grown into a permanent ministry. We have a dedicated Book Barn display at Madison Campus events and a MOOoooving Book Barn that travels with the Holy COW into the community, placing free books into the hands of children and families wherever we go.

Thanks to your incredible generosity, the Book Barn is now well stocked with gently used books, and we are no longer accepting used book donations. Thank you for helping us build such a wonderful collection!

Now we have a new goal: 100 new children’s books for Trunk or Treat. These new books will allow children attending this year’s event to choose a brand-new book of their own to take home. Help us reach 100 by bringing a new children’s book to the Madison Campus main office.

A single book can spark a lifelong love of reading. With your help, the Book Barn will continue sharing stories, encouraging literacy, and extending Good Shepherd’s mission of Welcome, Forgive, and Serve throughout our community.