A Bookstore that Serves the Prison Community

This week we're talking with Johnny Ardis, board member of Open Books and The Prison Book Project, a used bookstore and 501c3 nonprofit in Pensacola that sends books to inmates across Florida. We dive into the origin story of both the bookstore and the nonprofit and how it has evolved over the years, including how the pandemic affected them. Open Books is 99% donation based and volunteer-run, and Johnny shares the intricacies of depending on donations and volunteers to run a business. We also learn ways to get involved with The Prison Book Project and ways to start something similar in your area. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com