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(Memphis, TN) - Local businesses and the people who patronize them are what make a community special. When one supports the other, everyone wins.
In Memphis, there’s Heal The Hood, a non-profit group that just donated four book vending machines to the community. Local elementary schools received three of the machines, while the fourth one was installed at a laundry mat. Heal The Hood’s generous sponsorship is responsible for bringing the people together and helping the community grow.
One Heal The Hood representative told ABC Memphis News, "These machines create interest, hype, and nostalgia. It takes kids back to the days when it was cool to be good."
The Value of Community Sponsorships
Sponsoring a book vending machine has the potential to impact an entire local community. Stocked with titles that pique kids interest, the machine guarantees getting kids excited about reading.
In that same interview with ABC Memphis news, a Heal The Hood Representative added, "The children have the opportunity to get a book or comic book with a token. So we've stocked the machines in district 12 with books and comic books that will get them excited about reading."
A study by Cambridge University showed that kids read for fun have better verbal skills, memory, and academic success than those who don't. The researchers found that children who enjoy reading also have better mental health, less depression, and fewer behavior problems.
They spend less time on screens and get more sleep. Brain scans revealed that these kids have bigger brain areas linked to thinking skills.
“Reading isn’t just a pleasurable experience – it’s widely accepted that it inspires thinking and creativity, increases empathy and reduces stress,” said Barbara Sahakian, a professor at the University of Cambridge department of psychiatry, told ScienceDaily.com.
Benefits for Local Businesses
Sponsoring a book vending machine project presents a plethora of benefits for non-profit groups like Heal The Hood. Those benefits extend far beyond advertising.
First, businesses get a lot of visibility by putting their name and logo on the vending machine. High traffic areas like schools and shared community spaces are perfect for the machines. When kids and families use the book vending machine, they see the sponsor's name, which can lead to more customers and sales.
Sponsoring this project also shows that a company is invested in the community. By supporting literacy and education, businesses show that they are socially responsible. Customers like to support businesses that care about the community. Sponsoring this initiative helps build a positive image and connect with customers.
Besides promotion and reputation, sponsoring a vending machine can also help financially. Businesses can get tax deductions through their donation, which can help them save money while also giving back to the community.
Sponsoring a project that gives back to the community, like a book vending machine, is a good idea for local businesses. It helps with advertising, tax benefits, while supporting literacy and education in the community. Heal The Hood shows that they care about making a positive impact on the lives of young people in Memphis.
Benefits for Recipients
Sponsoring book vending machines, like Heal the Hood did, presents invaluable benefits to the recipients. Most importantly, a book vending machine inspires a love of reading among the students who interact with it on a regular basis.
First, students experience the joy of owning brand new books. Through a simple yet effective reward system, teachers recognize students for their behavioral and academic achievements. Being presented with a gold token signifies students’ accomplishment and grants them access to select a book of their choice from the vending machine.
This fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment while encouraging a love for reading and learning. The presence of a sponsored book vending machine signifies more than access to literature. It is a visual representation of a company’s investment in the community's future.
Many students, especially those from underserved communities, do not have access to books at home. The opportunity to start their own home library enriches their education.
By restocking their machines with fresh titles Heal the Hood ensures that students have continuous access to a diverse selection of titles. This ongoing support contributes to a culture of literacy and learning within the community, empowering individuals to expand their knowledge and imagination.
The book vending machines run by Heal the Hood in Memphis give hope and opportunities to the community. By providing students with access to free books and educational resources, these initiatives promote literacy and academic achievement. As a bonus, they also empower individuals to reach their full potential.
Heal The Hood continues to make a transformative impact. Their commitment to the community is enriching the lives and fostering a brighter future for the community.
Broader Community Impact
"When we say heal the hood, hood is a suffix at the end of words like brotherhood, motherhood, fatherhood, parenthood, sisterhood, priesthood, everybody has a hood. If we heal those different levels of trauma in our life, starting with childhood, we;ll have more healthy adults." says a member of Heal The Hood.
The impact of sponsored book vending machines, such as Heal the Hood's initiative in Memphis, extends beyond the recipients. The community stands to benefit.
First, these initiatives contribute to economic stimulation within the community. Organizations like Heal the Hood can keep financial resources circulating within the community, supporting local employment opportunities, and boosting the overall economy.
A 2022 study by the Community Economic Development Association found that communities with active local sponsorship programs experience significantly higher levels of economic activity compared to those without. By investing in projects like book vending machines, sponsors play a crucial role in driving economic growth and prosperity within the community.
Additionally, sponsored book vending machines facilitate improved community facilities and services. Through sponsorships, organizations like Heal The Hood can fund programs and projects that enrich community life, from enhancing public spaces to supporting cultural and sporting events. In the case of book vending machines, sponsored contributions enable the free and equitable access to books for children. This enhances educational resources and opportunities within the community.
Furthermore, when an organization sponsors a project like this, they can promote social cohesion and a sense of community spirit. By rallying behind shared interests and causes, sponsors and community members come together to support initiatives that uplift and empower individuals.
Heal The Hood’s Facebook post highlights the significance of representation and empowerment, particularly for black and brown children who may struggle to identify with mainstream literacy.
“These Super Hero Vending Machines are the beginning of a new era and a serious punch to the literacy villain. We have been counted out and made to feel as second class due to a culture that places Black Heroes, Comic Book Illustrators, and creatives in last place. Because of that, black and brown children have a hard time identifying with mainstream literacy because we don't see us. Now, for the first time in Memphis History, we will see us. Children will see themselves and they look amazing!!!!!”
– Heal The Hood Facebook Post
Through sponsorships and community collaboration, initiatives like the Book Vending Machines create spaces where all members of the community feel seen, valued, and celebrated.
Sponsor A Machine In Your Community
The initiative led by Heal the Hood in Memphis demonstrates the transformative power of community sponsorships. Beyond providing access to books, these machines symbolize a collective investment in the future of the community. By fostering a love for reading, supporting education, and promoting social cohesion, local businesses and organizations like Heal the Hood are not just enhancing individual lives but also uplifting the entire community.
At BookVending.com, we are proud to be part of something bigger than ourselves. If you are ready to get your contact us today.
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