Hello Sunshine Ice Cream & Books

Posted: Jun 14 2022

Hello Sunshine Ice Cream & Books has established a pass-through fund at the Minot Area Community Foundation.

The goal of “Hello Sunshine Ice Cream & Books” is to get into high needs neighborhoods, along with Minot Parks to get books in the hands of kids to spread literacy across our community – one child, one book, and one ice cream treat at a time. Funds raised will go directly towards purchasing books and ice cream to be distributed during the summer schedule of events.

“The most successful way to improve the reading achievement of low-income children is to increase their access to print. As a teacher from a high needs elementary school in Minot, it has been a mission to get books into the hands of kids”, says Sara Medalen, Sunnyside Elementary teacher, and Hello Sunshine founder.

Sixty-one percent of low-income families have no books at all in their homes for their children. While low-income children have, on average, four children’s books in their homes, a team of researchers concluded that nearly two-thirds of the low-income families they studied owned no books for their children (US Dept. of Education, 1996).

“We are thrilled to partner with Hello Sunshine. Sara’s energy and desire to improve the lives of our youth by encouraging reading is critical to their development and future success”, says Jason Zimmerman, President of the Minot Area Community Foundation.

Contributions to the “Hello Sunshine Ice Cream & Books” pass-through funds can be sent to the Minot Area Community Foundation or donate online at www.centerforcommunitygiving.com/give.