Rock Island, IL: Guests can help the Rock Island Public Library Foundation "Grow a Love of Reading" at the organization's annual Food for Thought fundraiser on Thursday, Nov. 10. The event takes place from 5:00 to 7:30 pm at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street.
The event's Grow Your Love of Reading theme uses vintage seed packet graphics to illustrate how early reading activities at the Rock Island Public Library plant a seed of lifelong learning. Early learning events supported by the Foundation in 2016 include Hug-A-Book learning opportunities, Head Start preschool visits, and a summer reading partnership with Spring Forward Learning Center enrichment sites.
The event allows paying guests to break traditional library rules with a night of dining on generous appetizers, entrees and desserts from local chefs, tasting craft beers and wines, listening to music by RiverCity6, bidding on silent auction items, and enjoying shush-free conversation amongst the book stacks.
Multiple food stations provide generous dining choices around the library, including selections by Chef Jose Zepeda of QC Coffee and Pancake House, Eudell Watts III of Eudell’s Specialty Foods, Kitchen Express of the Thurgood Marshall Learning Center, Main Event Catering of the Holiday Inn, Chef Brad Scott of Scott Community College Chefs de Cuisine, Martha Cleaveland of Blue Cat Brew Pub, the "Mad Batter" Rock Island High School entrepreneur class (INCubatoredu Entrepreneur and Enterprises Program) and Annette Hutto of Cool Beanz Coffee House.
Jennifer Mital, of Creekside Vineyards, and Dan Cleaveland of Blue Cat Brew Pub will offer complimentary tastings of locally made wines and craft beers. Other complimentary beverages include coffee and cider from Cool Beanz Coffee House, soda, and water.
The Main Library will be open to Food for Thought guests only for the night. An admission of $40 per guest includes food and drink. Guests may pay at the door with cash, check, or credit card, or drop off a cash or check payment in advance. For more information, please call Kathy Lelonek, Foundation director, at 309-732-7326 or email RIPLFoundation@gmail.com.
Foundation grants to the library support special purchases of materials and equipment, programs, improvements, and beautification projects that fall outside of the library's normal operating budget. Donations to the 501(c)3 Rock Island Public Library Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
To accommodate the event, the Rock Island Main Library will close to the public at noon on Thursday, Nov. 10. For more information about Rock Island Public Library events and services, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org or call 309-732-READ (7323.)
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About the Rock Island Public Library Foundation: The Rock Island Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that was established nearly 30 years ago to support the valuable extras that go far beyond the library’s city supported budget.
About the Rock Island Public Library: Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library provides resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate the imagination through the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities.
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