ACCOMAC, VIRGINIA (November 2, 2017) – The Eastern Shore Public Library’s summer reading program received some special help from BB&T volunteers through their Lighthouse Project. Nine BB&T volunteers assisted with the summer food program at the Accomac and Nassawadox public libraries by serving food once a week. Children attended the libraries for a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) educational program and were treated to a free meal. BB&T also supported the library by donating a new book display shelf to the Accomac library which can also be used in the new regional library.
Librarian Charle Ricci (left) and Connie Campbell, Vice President, BB&T, review books on the new book display shelf that the BB&T Lighthouse Project sponsored.
The BB&T Lighthouse Project provides corporate financial support to nonprofits and also connects BB&T associates with the opportunity to support these organizations with volunteer hours. Each year, BB&T associates have the opportunity to select a charity they feel will improve the quality of life in their community. Since the inception of the BB&T Lighthouse Project in 2009, BB&T associates have completed more than 9,000 community service projects, donated more than 475,000 hours in volunteer service and touched the lives of more than 13 million people. Associates overwhelmingly voted to bring back the initiative this year. For more information about the Lighthouse Project, go to BBT.com/BBT/LighthouseProject.
“We were thrilled when BB&T offered to help us implement this new summer food program,” stated Cara Burton, Library Director. “People don’t usually think of libraries serving food, but there is a need to provide meals in the summer to children who depend on the school lunch program. This program fills that gap. We were able to do it with the cooperation of the Boys & Girls Club and the Accomack Parks and Recreation Department. BB&T provided the volunteer power needed at each library. What a great partnership!”
The Summer Food Program and STEM programs are provided to public libraries throughout Virginia with support from the Library of Virginia, the Institute of Library and Museum Services, the United States Department of Agriculture, and Virginia’s No Kid Hungry program. For more information about youth programs at your public library, call (757) 787-3400 or visit www.espl.org for a calendar of events.