In this edition of Fox 8 Cleveland’s Own, Matt Kaulig had the pleasure of learning about the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank from Co-Founder & Retired Executive Director Judy Payne.

What started as a small endeavor using small book boxes around the community has turned into an incredible operation that provides free books to children in Cleveland and the surrounding area.


Driven by the desire to improve literacy and instill a love of reading, Kids’ Book Bank gives free books to children in need.

Getting books out when kids are young is critical.

Judy Payne, Co-Founder & Retired Executive Director, Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank

Its goal is to break the poverty cycle by exposing low-income children to language and reading from birth. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by building each child’s literacy skills, “opening their minds to the world beyond their neighborhood and fueling their imaginations.”

If you’re interested in learning more, or even volunteering with the Kids’ Book Bank, click the link below to visit their site:


What is Fox 8 Cleveland’s Own?

Fox 8 Cleveland’s Own is about good people doing good work in Northeast Ohio. WJW Fox 8 and Kaulig Charitable Giving Programs teams up to celebrate Cleveland’s Own by highlighting the best of our region in a big way! Each month, Fox 8’s Stefani Schaefer and Kaulig Companies and LeafFilter Executive Chairman Matt Kaulig, share a story about a person or organization from Northeast Ohio doing good work.

To see more Cleveland’s Own stories, or to nominate an organization to be featured, visit: kauliggiving.com/clevelandsown.