Breaking Night

Submitted by sullivermont on Thu, 10/28/2010 - 10:20pm

News

I've been meaning to write something about this book for over a week and I think I've been putting it off because I'm not sure I even know what to say. Liz Murray's memoir is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Growing up in the Bronx to drug-addicted parents and ending up homeless as a teenager, Liz finds the strength and determination to finish high school and ultimately attend Harvard. I had the opportunity to meet Liz at the New England Independent Booksellers fall conference last month and learned about her story there. Even more amazing than her incredible story is her commitment to helping other children who are growing up without enough food.

Liz has said that the school lunch program was sometimes her only meal of the day. Without school on the weekends, some children are left without enough to eat on the weekends. As part of her book tour, LIz partnered with Blessings in a Backpack, an organization that sends children in need home with a backpack of food on Fridays. Liz hopes that through her campaign 50,000 children will be served through the program by the end of the year. Because of partnerships with local grocers Blessings in a Backpack is able to provide a school year of food for $80 per child. You can learn more about the organization and make a donation here: Blessings in a Backpack