Barnes & Noble Launches Laredo Book Drive
The Laredo store at Mall del Norte is collecting books for Bethany House of Laredo through Dec. 14.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Barnes & Noble is holding its annual Holiday Book Drive at its Laredo store at Mall del Norte, collecting books for Bethany House of Laredo. The drive runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 14.
Why it matters
Customers can purchase a book and donate it to the drive, supporting Bethany House of Laredo's work feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless across Webb County. The drive aims to share the joy of reading with children in the community.
The national Holiday Book Drive supported more than 500 charitable organizations in 2025, and this year's drive runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 14. Bethany House of Laredo directs more than 91% of its revenue to local programs, and the total books collected locally has not been disclosed.
The players
Barnes & Noble
A national bookseller that runs an annual Holiday Book Drive across its stores.
Bethany House of Laredo
A Laredo-based nonprofit that feeds the hungry and shelters the homeless throughout Webb County.
The details
Barnes & Noble's Laredo store opened with a soft opening Sept. 30 and a grand opening event Oct. 23. Bethany House of Laredo runs emergency housing facilities including the Barbara A. Kazen Center for Hope and the Lamar Bruni Vergara Community Shelter.
Timeline
Sept. 30: Laredo Barnes & Noble holds soft opening
Oct. 23: Laredo Barnes & Noble holds grand opening event
Nov. 1: Holiday book drive begins
Dec. 14: Holiday book drive ends
Market Landscape
The Laredo collection is one local branch of Barnes & Noble's Holiday Book Drive, which is held annually across the country and supported more than 500 charities in 2025. The local store's grand opening period overlapped with the drive, tying the retailer's community giving to its new Mall del Norte location.
Shoppers at the Mall del Norte store can buy a book and donate it directly to the drive through Dec. 14. Donated books go to Bethany House of Laredo, which uses them in programs for children in the community.
The takeaway
Buying a book for the drive gives a direct way to support local families while reaching children who benefit from reading access. Readers can donate at the Mall del Norte store before the drive closes Dec. 14.
Further reading
Explore more local giving stories in Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Laredo Morning Times.
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