KU language research lab group donates more than 1,000 books to area nonprofits

Researchers and staff of the Comprehension and Language Learning (CALL) lab  recently donated 1,163 books as well as writing tools to two Kansas City organizations that provide reading resources to children.

The CALL lab gave the materials to Lead to Read KC , a reading and mentoring nonprofit organization founded in 2011, and Hands to Hearts KC, a major partner with Harvesters in Kansas City, Kan., that provides meals to nearly 1000 children in three school districts food through the BackSnacks program. Books are included in the backpacks children take home. 

The lab, which leads projects such as the More and Less Social Comprehension project, has been conducting the book drive for three years, said Meghan Davidson, lab director and an associate professor of speech-language-hearing. 

"I wanted to have a service component to the lab because as researchers we ask a lot of our community, and I wanted to have a more tangible way to connect with and give back," Davidson said. "We chose the book drive, and included writing materials this year, because we recognize how important literacy is for children's development. Not all children have access to the necessary materials to be able to access, practice, and develop literacy skills in their homes."