This article was written by BenitoLink intern Camille Mattish. Lea este articulo en español aquí.

Literacy 2 Love (L2L) is a project of the Women’s Club of Hollister that offers free books to children of all ages. Formerly called Laundry 2 Literacy, it started in area laundromats and later expanded. 

Committee Chair Jennifer Ippolito said L2L began in 2014 and was called Laundry 2 Literacy until December 2023. Ippolito came to the committee as a co-chair in October and saw the need for the program to grow.

Literacy 2 Love puts books in places throughout San Benito County where children might spend their time away from school. Laura Lee, president of Literacy 2 Love, first suggested putting books in local laundromats to give children the opportunity to read while their parents washed clothes, and then take the book home with them. L2L has since expanded into more than 10 other locations around San Benito County. Ippolito said the project offers books for children and teens in Spanish and English, including a range of emotional support books.

L2L received a $3500 grant last year from the Community Foundation of San Benito County, which was matched by a grant from the Women’s Club of Hollister. “The grant was used to buy children emotional support books that were in English, bilingual and Spanish, as well as children’s books, to keep up our supply and bookcases,” said Ippolito. 

Ippolito added that County residents donate books as well, either by bringing them directly to Ippolito’s house or arranging for a pickup. Ippolito also posts on social media requesting donations and says she plans on setting up a “wishlist” on Amazon and Scholastic Books.

Ippolito said that Nob Hill, Target, Postal Graphics and McAbee Feed Store are allowing L2L to put a donation bin in the stores so people may donate books, though no date for this has been set.

“I personally want to thank L2L’s committee members for their hard work and dedication,” Ippolito said, “and our community for their continued support, and all the books they have been donating.”

For more information, call 831-673-9184, or email info@womensclubofhollister.org or visit the Women’s Club of Hollister website.

Literacy 2 Love Locations:

Granny’s Laundromat 

221 3rd Street, Hollister 

Hours: Monday-Sunday 6 a.m.-10 p.m. 

The Wash House 

530 Tres Pinos Road, Hollister 

Hours: Monday-Sunday 6 a.m.-9 p.m. 

Emmaus House 

1191 Sunnyslope Road, Hollister 

(corner of Sunnyslope and Valley View roads) 

Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Email prior to delivery: slopez@emmaushouse.net or

patricek@emmaushouse.net 

Health & Human Services Agency 

1111 San Felipe Road, Ste. 26, Hollister  

Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Hollister Animal Shelter 

1331 South Street, Hollister

Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Mabie 1st Street Clinic 

321 1st Street, Hollister 

Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Mabie 4th Street Clinic 

991 4th Street, Hollister 

Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunset Community Clinic 

930 Sunset Drive, Building 3, Hollister  

Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

San Juan Bautista Clinic 

301 The Alameda Ste. B-3, San Juan Bautista  !

Hour: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 

Barragan Center 

930 Sunnyslope Road Ste. A2, Hollister 

Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Community Food Bank 

1133 San Felipe Road, Hollister 

Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Friday 8 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-noon.

San Benito County Office of Education (Pending) 

460 5th Street, Hollister 

Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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