Did you know letting children choose their own books leads to more engaged readers and learners?1 You can help get books into the hands of children across Kansas City by hosting a book drive for Lead to Read KC.
With more than 50 community partners, Lead to Read encourages children to read wherever they may be through our Reading is EverywhereSM book distribution initiative. We strategically place baskets of books in places where children are often waiting throughout the city. We want children to select a book to take home home and for caregivers to take a book to a child in their life. Each month, Lead to Read KC replenishes the baskets with additional books. During the 2022-2023 year, we distributed more than 10,000 books through our baskets and community events, and our bookshelves are a little bare.
The more a student reads, the more likely they will succeed in school and life. If a child reads for 20 minutes every day, they are exposed to about 1.8 million words of text every year!2 A separate study involving almost 10 million students showed that those reading at least 15 minutes a day achieved accelerated reading gains. Those reading less are at risk of falling behind their peers.
Saturday Book Sorters
By hosting a book drive, you can help Lead to Read KC keep readers on track! Read our Book Donation Guidelines to learn more, or contact Linda at linda@leadtoreadkc.org with questions or to get started today.
Many thanks to everyone who has donated books to Lead to Read KC! And a big thank you to our Second Saturday Sorting volunteers who help us get books ready for distribution!