Fun Friday Book Sorting
Support our Reading Is Everywhere program by cleaning, sorting, labeling, and shelving donations!
WHEN: Select Fridays, 10 A.M. to Noon
WHERE: The Offices at Park 39, 300 E 39TH Street, Kansas City
School-age children spend 80% of their waking hours outside of school, but 61% of families in under-resourced neighborhoods have no books for the children in their homes. Lead to Read KC is working to improve those numbers by distributing books through multiple channels.
During the 2024-2025 school year alone, we distributed 40,671 new and like-new children’s books, but it’s about more than just the numbers. We curate our offerings to ensure the best possible selection is available for each child, no matter where they connect with us. Your help in processing and shelving book donations is vital to this process.
Volunteers will receive an introductory training and be guided through their work cleaning, sorting, labeling and shelving book donations. This event is a fun opportunity to volunteer with friends or colleagues while talking about books you enjoyed as a child and seeing what’s popular today!
NOTES:
- Volunteers ages 12+ are welcome
- Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
- Groups of up to 20 may volunteer together, or you can sign up individually
Questions? Email [email protected]
About Lead to Read KC
Did you know that just 23% of Kansas City’s third graders in public and charter schools are reading at grade level? This milestone is critical for their academic future and the future of our city. Lead to Read KC is Kansas City’s leading children’s literacy nonprofit, dedicated to transforming our community into one where all students thrive academically and personally through unparalleled access to reading resources, mentorship and support.
Transformative Reach
Each week, more than 1,800 Reading Mentors volunteer in 33 schools across the Kansas City metropolitan area, making meaningful connections with students.
Targeted Tutoring
Our tutoring program uses a Science of Reading-based approach to provide more than 1,300 students with high-dosage, individualized support to boost reading skills.
Equitable Book Access
We distribute more than 3,000 books each month, ensuring local children have the opportunity to build home libraries and develop a lifelong love of reading.
Community Engagement
We bring local children’s authors into schools to share books highlighting mental health and wellness, providing them with coping strategies and tools to build self esteem.