April 2021

Dear SIBA members,

As spring approaches, we wanted to take this opportunity to give you an update on the state of your foundation. As with all of you, here at the Binc Foundation, 2020 was all about COVID. The pandemic led to a record breaking amount of assistance reaching owners and employees of bookstores and comic shops quickly and efficiently. Here are some highlights:

• COVID-specific assistance - 2,150 stores and individuals were helped with $2.7 million
• Non- COVID emergency financial assistance - $162,000 went out to 84 individuals and families
• Total funds disbursed in 2020 was $2.9 million (For perspective, in just 8 weeks we help more people than we had in the previous 8 years combined!)

COVID wasn’t the only disaster, by any means. Binc helped booksellers put their lives back together after experiencing hurricanes in the gulf, wildfires in the pacific northwest, ice storms in Texas, and tornados across the plains.

While we are not seeing the number of request that we saw 12 months ago, our new normal rate if inquiry seems to be around twice the level of 2019. This is a good thing, because it means that book and comic shop employees know they can call us when facing hardships.

As we continue to assist with lives “regular” emergencies, we are seeing some trends.

• COVID has added another layer to the already intricate and hectic lives of booksellers, making relatively simple problems much more complicated and further upsetting the balance of household finances.
• Booksellers are dealing with the on-again off-again nature of lay-offs, hours reductions, and store closings as the stores navigate the ever-changing local restrictions.
• We hear a lot of anxiety around the expiration of moratoriums on eviction, foreclosure, and utility shut-off.
• We are experiencing an increase in medical and dental bills arising from delayed care during the pandemic.

We continue to monitor these trends and are ready to address them in any way we can.

Binc’s Scholarship Program pivoted as well during the year. With the cancellation of all in-person meetings and shows, professional development scholarship funds were redirected to help the regionals and the ABA with virtual meetings.

On the fundraising side, an important takeaway from last year is how the industry at large came together quickly with financial support to make certain Binc could help all of you. Book and comic publishers (of all sizes), trade associations, distributors, authors, creators, sideline companies, agents, book and comic stores, readers, and musicians all found ways to creatively support you. This coming together made it possible for Binc to help every eligible applicant in need – no one who needed help was turned away. We are humbled and grateful for all the support Binc received.

One grateful bookseller wrote:

“After being in a freak bicycling accident in the fall I found myself with a huge pile of bills from the hospital, pharmacy, x-ray tech, surgeon, etc. Even after insurance the amount I owed was unmanageable. Then to top things off, my job laid me off the day after my doctor released me to return to work. Add in pandemic times and it took awhile to find a temp job just to pay basic bills.

I was reminded of Binc and filled out the application. The next day Kate called to get more info. She was incredibly kind and helpful. The day she emailed to say the grant had been approved will forever be one of the best days of my life. She made the calls to get the payments made on my behalf and this has been a game changer. The amount of stress relieved from this grant is amazing.

Once I'm fully back on my feet and have the means, this will be where I send a donation. It's my goal to be able to help someone else feel as wonderful as I did.”

This bookseller’s thanks was sent to Binc, but is directed to all of you who support us by donating, volunteering, advocating, and being our voice in the stores.

If you know someone who needs help - encourage them to call Binc. You can also refer a colleague or employee through our website form as well. This is your safety net, your foundation and we want to hear from you.

With our sincere thanks,

The Binc Team
866-733-9064
General questions - info@bincfoundation.org
Assistance questions - help@bincfoundation.org
www.bincfoundation.org