Fox Families Care partners with Sharpsburg library for family literacy

Sharpsburg toddler Asa Reinthaler reared her head back in delight after having a few tiny bites of fresh fruit with her family.

Accompanied by her parents Kelsey Squelch and Nick Reinthaler, they were among the participants of a children’s literacy program called Story Supper.

“I like the concept — encouragement and letting her get involved with the other children, get some socializing in — and the stories that they were telling,” Squelch said. “I was really excited when I saw that they were coming back.”

Hosted by the Sharpsburg Community Library in partnership with the nonprofit Fox Families Care, the program is designed for children ages birth to 5 years old and their parents or caregivers to learn and socialize while sharing a nutritious meal.

Library education and engagement coordinator Alison Babusci leads the group in a song and reads a short story to start the evening. Children also do a craft based on the month’s theme.

“It was very popular in the first year,” Babusci said. “I am thrilled (to have it back). Some of the kids aged out of it. It’s nice to see new families coming in.”

The supper on Feb. 3 kicked off the second year of the program. The evening focused on positivity. The reading was “I Am Enough” by Grace Byers.

“This is my first time coming,” Nick Reinthaler said. “I think it’s a really good program just for education and socializing. It seems very interactive.”

Fox Families Care provides the food and helps connect families to a variety of resources, including Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which offers free age-appropriate books shipped to a participant’s door.

The first year was funded through a $15,000 grant from PNC Bank.

“We exist to help bridge the gap between needs and resources in the Fox Chapel Area School District,” said Fox Families Care executive director Nicole Shirk.

“This is one of the most socioeconomically diverse school districts in the state of Pennsylvania. A lot of people don’t realize that about Fox Chapel. You have extreme wealth, and then you have great need. Our hope is to see every kid in our school district able to survive — and, beyond that — thrive.

“We love partnering with the library to address early childhood literacy and family bonding and connections, recognizing the long-term outcomes of getting kids interested in reading and reading with their families.”

Fox Families Care also provides funds for supplies. Babusci leads the artistic part of Story Supper.

“Alison is just amazing in her creative capacity and her vision for the program,” Shirk said. “We’re glad to make funds available to help out.”

Camille Ng of Sharpsburg said her family enjoys a multitude of Babusci’s programs, including Story Supper. They have been involved since its inception.

“The dinner’s a plus, but the stories, the crafts (and) variation in themes (keep it interesting),” Ng said. “We’ve been to a bunch of libraries in Pittsburgh. I feel like this one, even though it’s small, they have such great programs.”

Ng’s children, Adeline Zheng, 5, and Zachary Zheng, 2, were among the most energetic in this month’s group.

Story Supper is from 6-7 p.m. the first Monday of the month, except for September (Shirk said they skip that month due to Labor Day and families settling into a new school year). Registration is required due to limited space and meal planning.

More information is available on coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org or by calling 412-781-0783.