Meghan Markle Donates 2,000 Copies Of Her Children's Book 'The Bench' 'At No Cost To Libraries, Community Centers, Schools & Nonprofit Programs Across The Country'
June 10 2021, Published 12:02 p.m. ET
Meghan Markle is giving back in a big way! Just a few days after her children's book, The Bench, was released, the former actress wants to make sure people can get their hands on the story.
"After more than a year of unprecedented challenges for schoolkids and families everywhere, The Duchess believes the path ahead must include a focus on well-being — and nourishing our communities through food, education, and emotional and mental health support," the note, which was posted on Meghan and Prince Harry's Archewell website, began.
The message continued, "At Archewell, that is often centered on food and essential needs (as evidenced by our partnership with organizations like World Central Kitchen) but also nourishment through learning and connection (as seen in The Duchess’s support of last year’s Save With Stories initiative to raise funds for educational resources like books, toys, and worksheets). As an example of this belief system, The Duchess and Archewell have received the support of the publisher of The Bench to distribute 2,000 copies at no cost to libraries, community centers, schools, and nonprofit programs across the country."
The note concluded, "Those receiving free copies include vital organizations like Assistance League of Los Angeles, which has served the local community for more than 100 years and which The Duke and Duchess visited twice last year to spend time with the children at the organization’s Preschool Learning Center. To make this happen, Archewell is working with the team at First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise that’s distributed more than 200 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving kids in low-income communities in the United States and Canada. Reaching an average of 5 million kids per year, the First Book Network operates in classrooms, afterschool programs, libraries, community programs, military support programs, and more."
The book is about a bond between a father and his son — which was inspired by Harry's relationship with his son, Archie. "The Bench started as a poem I wrote for my husband on Father's Day, the month after Archie was born," she said in a press release. "That poem became this story."
Meghan — who just gave birth to her daughter, Lilibet Diana — also featured sketches of her family in the book. In one illustration, Harry is seen sitting on a bench with his son, while a woman that looks like Meghan is in the garden with a baby sling.
