“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” (Matthew 25:34-36)

Who We Are

Called by the words from Matthew’s gospel, Galilee Books Through Bars was formed as an outreach ministry which is made up of volunteers from Galilee Church.

What We Do

Galilee Books Through Bars sends free books to individuals incarcerated in Virginia. We also have a relationship with two facilities (one state and one federal) who accept bulk donations on a quarterly basis or as needed.
Our tasks involve accepting donated books, organizing them in our storage facility, receiving letters from inmates and fulfilling their book requests to the best of our ability based on the inventory on hand. It is our hope that these books not only help to bring the outside world in to those incarcerated individuals, but lets them know they have not been forgotten. We work to support an inmate’s desire to read for pleasure, self-determination, self-education and healing while behind bars.

How You Can Help

Galilee Books Through Bars appreciates your book donations! We accept new books and gently used books. Most institutions only accept paperbacks, but there are a few that will also accept hardback books. Please drop off books at Galilee on Tuesdays and Thursdays on the second floor, next to the bookcases to the right of the elevator.

Books that are regularly requested are dictionaries, science-fiction, westerns, self-help, politics, African American non-fiction, comic books/graphic novels, thrillers, the law, history, scenic books of America and the world, how-to, and art books. In addition, we have a need for books of a spiritual nature – Christian and other faiths.

Volunteer your time and talents to help grow our ministry. For more information, please contact us at
moc.liamg@srabhguorhtskoobeelilag
or call us at (757) 716-1022.