A Santa Clarita nonprofit, Code Read, continues to give free books to readers as the coronavirus pandemic continues, officials said Tuesday. 

Code Read, which was founded in May 2016 by Mackenzie Krestul, is a “fierce” advocate for youth literacy. 

Code Read distributes free books to children from low-income families, with a goal to provide every child with an equal opportunity to increase their academic growth through reading.   

Currently, there are 45 million Americans unable to read above a 5th-grade level, according to the Literacy Project, and Krestul hopes to lower that number.

Children who have access to books at home have significantly higher reading scores, according to officials. 

In spite of the coronavirus, Code Read continues to put books into the hands of children who need them the most, officials said. 

“By partnering with local Department of Children and Family Services offices and Los Angeles Family Housing, we can continue to supply thousands of books to children in need,” Krestul said. 

Since incorporating, Code Read has provided over 20,000 new books to underserved youth, according to officials. 

“Through this journey, I have witnessed the remarkable impact that stories have. From foster children to homeless youth, every child has displayed an incredible eagerness not only to lose themselves in a story, but to find themselves inside. When people see themselves reflected in art, they know that they are not alone, which is essential in an increasingly isolating world,” Krestul said. 

With the support of family, including 12-year-old sister Madelyn Krestul, Mackenzie continues to run Code Read while she attends Hofstra University in New York, according to officials. 

Krestul has been awarded grants from several organizations, including the Los Angeles Clippers, The Nora Roberts Foundation, the Walmart Foundation, International Paper Company, the Lawrence Foundation and Believe in Reading. 

With donations and book grants from First Book, Code Read has accumulated over 20,000 new books for students in need, according to officials. 

Code Read has recently embarked on a capital campaign to raise funds to purchase a custom Bookmobile,  according to officials. 

This free bookstore-on-wheels is set to be equipped with book carts that can store up to 2,000 books, according to officials. 

When the Bookmobile is at a partner site, participants are set to be able to come into the Bookmobile to browse. 

The Bookmobile is set to allow Code Read to increase outreach by visiting Head Start centers, children’s hospitals, juvenile detention centers and senior centers. 

For more information on Code Read and to find how to receive free books, click here.  

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