As part of its October service project Share a Story, local third grade Brownie Troop 2691 is asking for donations of new story books to give to homeless children of Los Angeles. Inspired by a troop mother’s story about a Peace Corps volunteer who taught in Malawi with only 10 books per 70 students, the Brownies decided to help local children have access to high-quality books.

“It’s important [to do this service project] because every kid deserves a new book,” said troop member Lucinè Rickey.

Steve Hibbert, regional coordinator of School on Wheels, Inc., is excited by the project.

“What an amazing and much appreciated gift to the kids we serve,” he said. “Not only can we use the books at our Downtown Learning Center where we tutor 30-40 great kids six days a week, but some of them will also end up in the brand new backpacks that we give to all of the kids we serve throughout Southern California every week.”

On average, Hibbert added, 630 volunteer tutors work with at least 700 kids per week.

Maureen Palacios, owner of the Once Upon a Time Bookstore in Montrose, donated an early chapter book for every 10 books bought for the book drive. In addition, she is offering a 10% discount for the purchase of every donated book.

Donations can be made multiple ways.

Donors can go to www.shoponceuponatime.com to purchase a book for donation (be sure to indicate Troop 2691 in the comment section and check “pick up in store”). Donors can also go online to www.troop2691.com.

An in-store display is at Once Upon A Time where donors can purchase books. The fundraiser ends Oct. 31.