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OUR COMMUNITY
ON THE COVER

16 | MARCH 28 • 2024 
J
N

Organizations 
that Benefit 
from Bookstock

Many local nonprofit 
educational and literacy 
organizations have applied 
for and received grants 
from Bookstock proceeds. 
Randie Levin, Carolyn Tisdale 
and Margo Lazar chair The 
Bookstock Fund. A few of the 
recipients of Bookstock grants 
include:

• Brilliant Detroit provides 
holistic services for kids 0-8 
in 17 Detroit neighborhood 
centers to ensure school 
readiness and family support.

• City Year Detroit trains 
and organizes AmeriCorps 
members to serve as student 
success coaches in local 
under-resourced schools. 

• The Einstein Method 
provides innovative engaging 
tools and instructional 
methods for teachers.

• Oakland Literacy Council 
helps adult students, both 
native and foreign-born, to 
become more literate by 
working with trained volunteer 
tutors.

• Progressionista introduces 
Detroit girls ages 8 to 12 
to leisure reading through 
monthly book club meetings 
featuring women professionals.

• Remain in Touch, based in 
several northern Michigan jails, 
enables incarcerated parents 
to select free books and 
record them for their children.

• Storytime Guild provides 
volunteers to read to more 
than 1,000 children in 11 
schools throughout Metro 
Detroit.

Shoppers search for bargains at Bookstock

JEFF AISEN

losophy of recycling and reuse for books and 
media as well as packing cartons and tablecloths 
used on sales tables. On the Monday after the 
sale ends, representatives of nonprofit organi-
zations with appropriate identification can take 
unsold books at no charge; last year, 16 orga-
nizations took advantage of this opportunity. 
Unclaimed items are given to St. Vincent de Paul 
for sale in their stores.
Rubin says that there were concerns some 
years ago that the sale would become obsolete 
due to the popularity of digital media, but that 
was not the case. Bookstock continues to draw 
readers, teachers and collectors from all over 
who appreciate its wide selection and reasonable 
prices.
“Bookstock was getting better and better 
every year. There is a legion of people who have 
good things to say about it,
” says Marla Drutz, 
Bookstock’s media adviser. Its leaders attribute 
its success to the dedication of its volunteers and 
strong community support. “We’ve established 
many wonderful relationships,
” says Blanck, 
citing Rochelle Riley, former Detroit Free Press 
columnist and former honorary co-chair; Neal 
Rubin, Detroit Free Press columnist and honor-
ary chair; and Drutz, former station manager of 
WDIV-TV
. Also, there are now 20-30 sponsors 
who help defray costs, Blanck says.
Free Press columnist Rubin wrote about 
Bookstock’s first year, and “the column went 
well.
” When asked to help with publicity as a 
spokesman, he was “happy to talk about how 
wonderful Bookstock is. I’m in the literacy busi-
ness.
”
Blanck is grateful for the loyalty of Bookstock 
shoppers. “People come back year after year. I 
recognize people. It’s an experience. People come 
with their families,
” Blanck says.
“So many organizations are invested in the 
success of Bookstock. The more you work, the 
more you earn, the more you give away. They 
have ownership in the sale. It’s tikkun olam,
” says 
Schoenberger.
Blanck says that Bookstock’s main challenge 
is “We have to figure out how to be sustainable.
” 
The volunteer commitment remains steadfast 
and enthusiastic, as does the interest from shop-
pers.
“It’s books … why not?” Rubin says. “The 
women of Bookstock are just terrific. It’s huge 
fun. As long as they’re doing it, I’ll do it.
“The beauty of Bookstock is that we get books 
out of basements and back into people’s laps.
” 

The Bookstock Depot at Congregation 
Beth Ahm. 

BOOKSTOCK

The Bookstock Depot Team: Carol Dmitruk, 
Sharon Resnick and Jane Steinger. 

BOOKSTOCK

