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Darrin Utynek (left), CEO of Bernie's Book Bank, and Joe Aurelio, CEO of Aurelio's Pizza. Credit: Provided

CHICAGO — Aurelio’s Pizza is partnering with nonprofit Bernie’s Book Bank in October to provide books to young children in underserved communities.

For every Aurelio’s Pizza box top returned to its restaurants, the pizzeria will donate $1 to Bernie’s Book Bank. Each donation provides a book the charity will give to children, from newborns to sixth-graders, from low-income households.

Two of three kids from low-income families don’t own books, according to Bernie’s Book Bank. The charity has donated more than 20 million books over 12 years. 

“Bernie’s Book Bank is grateful to Aurelio’s Pizza for their dedication to increasing book ownership among underserved children,” Darrin Utynek, Bernie’s Book Bank CEO, said in a statement. “Their strong family-focused tradition, commitment to community and innovation as a pizza pioneer makes this partnership with Aurelio’s very special.”

To find a location for Aurelio’s Pizza, go here

“This is our way to help families in our communities nurture their children with resources like great books,” Aurelio’s CEO Joe Aurelio said.

After October, you can donate books directly to Bernie’s Book Bank. For locations to drop off books, please check online.

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