HOUSTON – June 18, 2020 – Joe V’s Smart Shop has partnered with Spring ISD to provide bilingual books to children ages 3-9, as a part of their ‘Read 3’ program.

The grocery store, which is a division of H-E-B, teamed up with local non-profit Brighter Bites to donate 10,000 books to several Houston-area school districts and to celebrate a milestone anniversary.

“For the past 10 years, Joe V’s Smart Shop has provided families the opportunity to make healthy food choices at great low prices,” said Roxanne Orsak, president of H-E-B Formats and Joe V’s Smart Shop. “We are thrilled to celebrate our 10 years in business with this gift to our community.”

On Wednesday, Spring ISD parents and guardians who drove through the curbside meal locations at Booker Elementary and Clark Primary School received both brand new bilingual books and meals, which were distributed safely by Spring ISD Child Nutrition employees while social distancing.

“Joe V’s has provided 5,000 books to our Spring ISD families so as they are enjoying their healthy meals at home, they can also read to their children,” said Tranita Carroll, director of Parent Engagement. “Joe V’s has the same goal as Spring ISD, which is increasing literacy.”

According to the grocery retailer, ‘Read 3’ focuses on educating parents and caregivers about the importance of reading to children at least three times a week. The program collects books through book drives and in-store donations to distribute to children throughout Texas.

Since 2011, Joe V’s/H-E-B has collected 1.5 million new or gently used books for children in need. There will be a second distribution of books this fall. For more information, visit Joe V’s ‘Read 3’ website.