Barnes and Noble is inviting consumers to donate to its annual Holiday Book Drive.

Through Jan. 1, customers are encouraged to purchase children’s books for donation to kids involved in local non-profit organizations.

The DeKalb Barnes and Noble, 2439 Sycamore Road, will be donating to about 10 groups this year, the biggest group including 1,100 kids from the Salvation Army who will receive books. Other local groups include Big Brothers and Big Sisters of DeKalb, DeKalb Housing Authority, Kishwaukee Family Literacy, Safe Passage, Hope Haven and the Rochelle Community Action Network.

“These kids are the poorest of the poor,” said Mary McGinn, community relations coordinator for Barnes and Noble. “Each year, they get to pick out some new clothes, food and one toy.”

This year, the books donated will be their one toy given to them for the holiday season.

“Because the books are collected and donated at the local level, the books are going to the right place,” said McGinn.

Barnes and Noble also donates to groups on a corporate level. Last year, more than $322,000 in books was collected and donated nationwide. The DeKalb Barnes and Noble store donated more than $2,400 of that amount.

“Locally, we are hoping to gain about 3,000 books this year,” said McGinn.

Barnes and Noble also offers different promotions to encourage buyers to donate to the book drive. A variety of children’s books are set aside at each register that include sales such as books for under $5, books for under $10 and buy two, get one free deals.

Freshman psychology major Bria Farrell said the book drive is a great way to get young kids more interested in reading.

“In today’s age of Internet and text messaging, it’s important to keep kids’ minds active and learning,” she said. “The book drive is a great way to give needy kids an opportunity to open and enhance their minds.”