For the month of October Old Firehouse Books is partnering with Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group as part of a nationwide food drive to raise awareness of childhood hunger. Inspired by Crenshaw, a new middle grade novel by Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate, bookstores across the United States are teaming up with their local food banks to collect items for children in need. Old Firehouse Books is partnering with the Food Bank for Larimer County. The bookstore that donates the most items will be visited by Katherine Applegate.

Applegate’s book Crenshaw is about a boy named Jackson whose family has hit hard times. That’s when Crenshaw, Jacskon’s old imaginary friend, shows up. Jackson may think he’s too old for imagination, but he’ll soon realize how much Crenshaw really can help.

Taking Crenshaw as inspiration, Old Firehouse Books is hosting a bookmark coloring contest to design an imaginary friend. Each participant in the contest will donate one non-perishable food item per entry. Our goal is to collect 49 feet of canned goods, enough to reach all the way to the top of our fire tower!

Help Old Firehouse Books reach their goal! Non-perishable food items can be brought to their store location at 232 Walnut Street in Old Town Fort Collins. For more information, visit us online at www.oldfirehousebooks.com/crenshawfooddrive.