For UB real estate development master’s student Mirna Cadet, the only thing better than one successful book drive for people who can most benefit is another one.

After spearheading a book drive in spring 2023 with her Team Traffic Cones group from the project-based Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) capstone course that transformed space in the Buffalo City Mission, Cadet initiated another drive, working with another group last month to transport 1,851 books and 20 puzzles to the Grace House of Saving Grave Ministries at 2025 Bailey Ave., where officials plan to distribute them to their offsite locations.

Grace House assists in the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society, a specific population often overlooked and blamed for their current struggles, according to Cadet.

“I believe that Grace House's leaders are noble in their desire to improve the lives of people who are less likely to receive assistance due to their status and history,” says Cadet. “I believe that direct access to literature provides the patrons of Grace House with the opportunity to enhance their reading abilities and enjoy literature in the same way as other people in the community.”

Officials at Grace House are organizing a community event to provide free books to the community, taking into account the large number of donated books.

Cadet says her first book drive with the Buffalo City Mission showed her that, despite technology, there’s still a demand for physical books in the community.

“This past year, the patrons of Buffalo City Mission accepted the books with great joy, which served as motivation to continue hosting the book drives,” she says.

Additionally, there is a significant disparity in the accessibility of these resources within the Buffalo community, particularly for those who lack reliable transportation, Cadet notes.

“My observations reveal that certain individuals whose most basic needs remain unmet perceive access to literature as a luxury,” she says. “Our goals remained the same: to ensure that individuals experiencing housing insecurity have immediate access to literature in their transitory housing.”