I imagine most know by now that Jinny Fallon published his first children’s book in 2015. Aside from all the laughs that book surely caused, now he’s doing something more important.

He’s teaming up with his publisher to donate $1,000,000 worth of books to First Book, a nonprofit based in the US that provides new books to children in need.

I imagine some might criticize him for this because surely a disadvantaged kid could use something else (food, clean water, clothing) just a bit more than a book they may not even want. My response is to say literacy is of the utmost importance. An illiterate child is immediately left behind by his or her peers, and that gap is incredibly difficult to overcome. To discount the importance of literacy does harm and no good.

Disadvantaged children need food, clothing, shelter, and clean water. But they also need books. They do.

Jimmy Fallon won’t solve every problem by donating these books, but at least he’s focusing on one. Are you?