Dollar General Literacy Grant Stocks Book Vending Machine

Encouraging students to read more is a challenge many schools face. How can educators make reading exciting and rewarding for children? Northeast Elementary School found an innovative solution that's transforming their students' relationship with books.

Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine: Making Reading Fun and Accessible

Angela Grace, Northeast Elementary School's librarian, discovered Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine on social media five years ago. Immediately, she recognized its potential to revolutionize reading incentives in her school.

"It's all about putting books in kids' hands," Ms. Grace explained in a video produced by the Lauderdale School District. "Some students don't have books at home. This way, they have it. It's theirs. They can take it home and read it whenever they want."

Northeast Elementary's Journey to Book Vending Success

Implementing the book vending machine program took time and effort:

• Fundraising to purchase the machine
• Developing a reward system aligned with existing reading programs
• Finding ways to keep the machine stocked with fresh titles
  
  

How the Book Vending Machine Works

The book vending machine serves as a powerful incentive for students to improve their reading skills. Here's how it operates:

1. Students advance two levels in Lexia, a reading enrichment program
2. They earn a gold Inchy token as a reward
3. Students use the token to select a book from the vending machine
4. The chosen book becomes theirs to keep and read at their leisure

This system aligns seamlessly with the school's existing PBIS, SEL, DEI, and MTSS programs, enhancing their effectiveness.

Sustaining Success: The Dollar General Literacy Grant

With the program's popularity soaring, Northeast Elementary faced a new challenge: keeping the machine stocked with books. Ms. Grace found a solution in the Dollar General Literacy Grant.

About the Dollar General Literacy Foundation

• Established in 1993 to honor Dollar General co-founder J.L. Turner
• Supports literacy and education programs across the United States
• Offers grants to schools, libraries, and non-profit organizations within 15 miles of a Dollar General store

How the Grant Helped Northeast Elementary

Principal Anita Wansley shared, "Our librarian, Angela Grace, applied for the Dollar General Literacy Grant, which was a $3,500 grant, and she did that to maintain our book vending machine."

This funding allowed the school to keep their popular program running and expand its reach to more students.

In a more recent interview with WTOK News, Ms. Grace said Northeast Elementary’s
book vending machine distributed close to 1,300 books throughout it’s first year in service.

2024 Grant Applications are available now – click here to apply.

History

Founded in 1993 by Cal Turner and Cal Turner Jr., the Dollar General Literacy Foundation was created to pay tribute to JL. Turner, the co-founder of Dollar General. As the story goes, he came from a farming background and only completed third grade. It’s in his name that the foundation proudly provides assistance to students throughout their educational endeavors.

Foundation Goals

Dollar General Literacy foundation is dedicated to supporting literacy and education programs. They work with local and national partners to help teachers and students succeed.

Dollar General talked to students, parents, and teachers to learn about literacy challenges in the US. They used this information to make plans to help students get the resources they need. To learn more, check out their State of American Literacy Report.

The Foundation grants money to groups near Dollar General stores. This includes schools and libraries. To see if your school qualifies, check out full guidelines at dgliteracy.org.

How Dollar General Helped Northeast Elementary

The foundation provides grants for various projects. Projects funded include: rebuilding school libraries, adult literacy programs, family literacy programs, and summer reading programs. Angela Grace applied for the Youth Literacy Grant.

Schools, libraries, and nonprofit groups can apply for grant funding. The money will help grow reading programs, get technology for projects, and buy books.

2024 Grant Applications are available now – click here to apply.

Impressive Results: Books in Students' Hands

The impact of the book vending machine at Northeast Elementary has been remarkable:

• Initially hoped to distribute 750 books (one per student)
• Actually distributed close to 1,300 books in the first year
• Students show increased excitement about reading and book selection

Ms. Grace proudly stated, "Thank you, Dollar General, for doing this."

Bring Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine to Your School

Interested in implementing a book vending machine at your school? Here are some steps to get started:

1. Research grant opportunities like the Dollar General Literacy Grant
2. Prepare a detailed proposal, including budget and implementation plan
3. Gather support from school administration and finance department
4. Apply for grants and fundraise as needed
5. Work with Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine for customization and setup

For more information and assistance, visit bookvending.com or check our news and blog page regularly.

Ready to transform reading at your school? Contact us today to learn how Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine can make a difference for your students!