Booked, an Evanston independent bookstore, is thrilled to announce the store’s first Shop for a Cause event, which will raise funds for local schools through donating a portion of sales to the PTA Equity Project’s District 65 One Fund.
The Shop for a Cause event will run Saturday, March 9 through Friday, March 13. During this time, 10% of all in-store purchases will be donated to the PTA Equity Project (PEP) District 65 One Fund.
Abby Dan and Betsy Haberl, co-owners of Booked, are both parents to children in District 65. “It was a no-brainer for us to create a fundraiser for PEP in our bookstore,” says Haberl. “Local bookstores such as Booked are important community spaces, and we want to support our entire community.”
“PEP is a progressive project and one more thing that makes Evanston unique,” says Dan. “We fully support the cause and look forward to raising funds for all of our students in all of our schools.”
About the PTA Equity Project and the District 65 One Fund
The gap in PTA fundraising capacity in District 65 is significant. In a single year, the PTA Equity Project found that some schools’ capacity for fundraising was $32 per student, while others raised over $200 per student. These gaps lead to disparities within our own community—in how many and what type of community-building events an individual school’s PTA can host, how many enrichment activities and scholarship opportunities a PTA can provide, and the monetary support PTAs can provide teachers for additional classroom supplies and magazine subscriptions.
Through the District 65 One Fund, PTA resources are equitably distributed so that all students can better access the vital programs and enrichments that PTAs provide. This ensures that all students in Evanston and Skokie District 65 get the most benefit from PTA resources, regardless of the school they attend.
Meghan Shea, chairperson for PEP and a District 65 parent, says, “The One Fund is a tangible way in which we are ensuring more equitable outcomes for the school community through PTA funding right here in Evanston/Skokie D65. We’re so grateful to begin this community partnership with Booked, and hope all of our community show up for our D65 kids, educators, and caregivers.”
Learn more about the PTA Equity Project on their website.
About Booked
Booked is an independent bookstore located at 506 Main St. in Evanston, Illinois, that carries a diverse selection of books for children and a curated selection of adult books. We are a welcoming space for all members of our community that celebrates reading at any age.
