With COVID-19 shutting regions down and impacting consumer spending, retailers are feeling the pinch. The situation looks dire, especially with no end in sight. The Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc) is preparing to assists booksellers and comic retailers in these trying times.

Binc’s assistance will vary depending on the needs of retailers. Binc is focused on helping with expenses such as medical or personal household under the following circumstances:

• If a bookstore employee contracts an illness and cannot go to work.
• If a member of a bookseller’s household contracts an illness and the employee is forced to quarantine themselves to prevent further spread of the virus.
• If a bookseller loses more than 50% of their scheduled work hours because residents are told not to go to work.*
• If a bookseller loses more than 50% of their scheduled work hours due to a mandatory quarantine.

They are encouraging sellers with needs to reach out with concerns and help for request.

They also have numerous handy tips to prepare and protect in these times.

Those interested in donating to Binc can do so here and those with a request related to COVID-19 can do so here.

Binc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to assisting booksellers in need. The Binc Foundation grew out of a wish of bookstore employees to establish a fund to help their colleagues experiencing unexpected financial crises. Binc is dedicated to assisting bookstore employees across the United States in their greatest time of need.