Harmons Grocery to sponsor book drive and fundraisers

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah schoolchildren will benefit from two programs sponsored by Harmons Grocery Stores: a joint book drive and literacy program to provide books for kids in need, and a PTA fundraiser for area schools.

Harmons stores have book-drop bins out front for the public to donate new and used books. The year-round book drive is in partnership with the Utah Children's Reading Foundation and Reading Tree, a national nonprofit organization, to provide books for Utah children in need.

Volunteers will collect the donated books on a weekly basis, and then sort them according to age level and appropriate content. Local schools can then submit requests and books will be delivered to the schools from the warehouse. Schools may in turn sponsor special events such as a "Literacy Night" or a "Read-In," and send each child or family home with at least one book.

Thursday, Feb. 4, is Harmons' 21st annual PTA Day, to help raise money for more than 60 Utah schools. Parents, neighbors and friends are encouraged to shop that day at any of Harmons' 13 locations and the local chain will donate 5 percent of net sales to the schools. PTA Day is often the biggest fundraiser of the year for participating schools. Schools get involved by having students decorate the stores, and parents and teachers help bag groceries and coordinate games and activities for the kids. Children can win Harmons gift certificates by entering a coloring contest by Feb. 2. All kids will receive free ice cream from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 4 while supplies last, courtesy of Meadow Gold. Harmons hopes to raise $55,000 this year.

Harmons 2010 PTA Day

Participating stores and schools

West Valley store, 3500 South and 4000 West: Hunter Elementary, Farnsworth Elementary, Carl Sandburg Elementary, Academy Park Elementary

Seventh Street store, 7700 South and 700 East: Hillcrest High, Midvalley Elementary, East Sandy Elementary, Midvale Middle School, Midvale Elementary, Sandy Elementary

Ogden stores, 2nd and Harrisville: Bonneville Elementary, Heritage Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Gramercy Elementary, Green Acres Elementary

Draper store, 11400 South and 700 East: Alta View Elementary, Alta High, Altara Elementary, Crescent Elementary, Sprucewood Elementary

Bangerter Crossing store, 13800 S and 100 East: Draper Elementary

Brickyard store, 3300 South and 1300 East: Highland High, Nibley Park Elementary, William Penn Elementary, Granite Park Junior High, Roosevelt Elementary