Brooklyn Book Bodega feeds young minds by filling home shelves

Book by book, block by block, the Brooklyn Book Bodega is working to make books as accessible as a bag of chips from your local corner store.

Co-founders Rebecca Cogen and Seema Aghera chose the name "Bodega" with intention.

"When you think of bodegas in New York, you think of a place that is familiar, a place where people come together," said Aghera.

"Books should have been as accessible as your neighborhood bodega," added Cohen.

This nonprofit, grassroots organization is actively working to eliminate "book deserts," neighborhoods where book ownership is scarce.

"Our mission is to increase the number of 100-plus book homes for kids in New York City," said Aghera.

By providing free, lightly used books, they want to ensure that every child, regardless of their family's financial situation, has the opportunity to own stories that can shape their world.

"We exist because kids who read do better in life. There's an impact on their educational outcomes, their financial earnings, and their mental health," Aghera said.

Brooklyn Book Bodega distributes free books through pop-up events and community partnerships.

"We are set up in the places and spaces where kids spent time," said Aghera, emphasizing the nonprofit's commitment to accessibility and community-first outreach.

Volunteers play a vital role, helping to inspect, sort, and distribute books in the nonprofit's Book Hub. Each book includes a stamp where kids can write their names, marking it as their own.

"There is still so much work to do," said Aghera."If we all worked together, we could make a change."

Brooklyn Book Bodega encourages New Yorkers to get involved through donating used books, volunteering, or simply spreading the word.

For more information, visit their website.