With warmth, humor and artist Bonnie Lemaire’s imaginative illustrations, Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure from award-winning author Dave Grunenwald helps kids ages 5–10 see not only what food banks and volunteers really do, but also how they themselves can make a difference.
Through the eyes of Lucas and his best friend, Emily, plus Lucas’ little brother, Jack, readers learn what it really means when classmates or neighbors don’t have enough to eat. Guided by Lucas’ grandfather, the children visit food banks large and small, meet volunteers who prepare and distribute meals, and discover that helping others isn’t just important — it can also be joyful. With illustrations that capture both the whimsy of children’s imagination and the reality of community service, the book invites young readers to see volunteering as an adventure of its own.
Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure by Dave Grunenwald
“Kindness is contagious,” said Grunenwald. “I wanted to create a story that shows kids how powerful their actions can be — even small ones. Volunteering doesn’t have to be boring or serious; it can be an adventure!”
A new five-star review from Reader Views praised Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure as “an accessible way to explain some big ideas around access to life essentials to kids,” noting its power to inspire volunteerism in both young and adult readers alike.
Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure is the sixth book in the Lucas and Emily’s Adventures series, a delightful collection of stories about grandkids and grandparents bonding through everyday “adventures,” such as cooking, gardening and exploring the wonders of the animal kingdom. Written with children ages 5-10 in mind, the series is meant to foster relationships with family members and friendships with others. A Spanish-language version of Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure is coming soon.
Grunenwald is also the creator of the Grandparent Merit Badges series of books (available in English and Spanish), which features hands-on activities that kids love, designed to spark laughter, learning, and connection between grandparents and their young grandchildren. As readers complete each activity, they earn colorful merit badges and certificates of merit, celebrating the joy of simply spending time side by side.
“We should all support our local food banks. Whether by giving money or food or volunteering your time, it’s all helpful. The need is enormous,” Grunenwald added. “People should put down their phones and iPads and spend time volunteering at a local food bank.”
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