Turn Books into Blessings: The Power and Purpose of Reselling Books for Good
In a world filled with financial uncertainty and growing need, one simple truth remains: people want to help. But giving back doesn’t always require opening your wallet. Sometimes, it starts with something as humble—and powerful—as a gently used book.
That’s the mission behind Books for Blessings, a division of Outreach25, led by seasoned publishing executive Chris Hendrix, who brings over 28 years of global experience in the book industry. Having facilitated the sale of more than 70 million books worldwide, Chris knows the immense potential within the pages of every book—and the good they can do when resold with purpose.
📚 Why Book Reselling Matters Now More Than Ever
According to Statista, the average American adult spent $116 on books in 2022. Multiply that by the 262 million adults in the U.S., and you get a $30 billion-dollar annual book economy. Yet, many of these books end up collecting dust on shelves or boxes in garages.
Books for Blessings taps into this underutilized resource by collecting gently used books, reselling them online—primarily through Amazon—and using the proceeds to help families in critical need. From medical emergencies to disability support, the program provides tangible relief funded entirely by book donations.
🌟 A Simple Concept with a Profound Impact
Chris Hendrix has operated Books for Blessings as a private charitable effort since 2016, but in 2024, he took the next step by gifting the domain, brand, and system to Outreach25, turning it into a full-scale nonprofit initiative.
Here’s how it works:
Donors send in books in like-new condition.
Outreach25 lists and sells the books via Amazon and other platforms.
Proceeds are split 50/50—half to cover operating costs and half to build a general emergency fund.
Books can also be donated in honor of a specific beneficiary, with 90% of the sales going directly to that person or cause.
Partner nonprofits can participate, earning 50% of the proceeds from books they collect.
It’s efficient, transparent, and scalable. And most importantly, it empowers everyday people to turn unused resources into real-world impact.
🛠️ The Infrastructure is Ready—Now We Need You
Books for Blessings has the backend system in place: donor tracking, tax-deductible gift letters, and beneficiary management. The next phase is growth. That means:
Opening an Amazon seller account for Outreach25
Securing warehouse space for inventory
Scaling up volunteer teams for sorting and shipping
Launching regional and national donation drives
We’re building a sustainable, community-driven engine—one book at a time. And your support, whether through donations, partnerships, or volunteering, can help us bring it to life.
💡 Why Reselling Books is a Game-Changer for Nonprofits
The average person owns far more books than they realize. Whether from a college bookshelf, children’s books outgrown, or gifts that were never read, these items hold value—not just monetary, but humanitarian.
Here’s what makes book reselling unique:
Low barrier to entry: Most people have books at home.
High volume potential: Even small communities can contribute thousands of units.
Tax-deductible donations: Donors receive proper documentation.
Zero waste: Books are recycled through purposeful resale.
Revenue generation for mission-critical work
Books for Blessings allows other nonprofits to leverage the same model to raise funds for their own aligned causes—without needing to build infrastructure. We manage the logistics; they reap the impact.
💬 Donors Deserve Transparency—and We Deliver
One of the most innovative features of Books for Blessings is its real-time donor reporting. Contributors can opt in to receive updates on how much their donated books have raised, and how the funds are being used.
It’s not just about saying “thank you.” It’s about showing people the blessing they’ve become to someone else—all from a stack of books they no longer needed.
🚀 Be Part of the Movement
The journey ahead is filled with opportunity, but we can’t do it alone. We need:
Individuals willing to donate books
Churches, schools, and businesses to host book drives
Nonprofits interested in partnering with us
Volunteers to help sort, list, and ship inventory
Warehouse space providers and shipping partners
Financial supporters to help scale operations
Together, we can build something remarkable—an Amazon-powered, donor-driven solution that turns books into food on the table, rent checks, wheelchair ramps, and moments of hope.
❤️ Final Word: Never Judge a Book By Its Cover
At Books for Blessings, we believe that every book—just like every person—has the power to make a difference. A story that once inspired one reader can now change the course of a struggling family’s life.
So go ahead—clean your shelves, pack your boxes, and give your books a second life with purpose.
Because when you give a book, you’re giving so much more.