Wanting to build literacy and foster a love of reading, the latest cohort of RCPC’s Legacy of Leadership program chose as its capstone project the placement of a custom wrapped Book Vending Machine in the Jack Lowe, Sr. Elementary School in the Dallas ISD.
Working collaboratively with the Dallas Educational Foundation, Atmos Energy and United to Learn, and with a grant from the RCPC Foundation, RCPC has designed the custom wrap to include Rotary’s Four Way test, purchased the Book Vending Machine and stocked it with a variety of age-appropriate books. The North Texas Food Bank also provided copies of its book, "Hunger Bugs Me," which addresses childhood food insecurity to be included each time the machine is stocked, in addition to different USDA "Eat Smart, Play Hard" activity cards inserted into every book. The students will earn tokens to be used to vend the books and will be able to keep the books they choose.
RCPC unveiled the Book Vending Machine at Jack Lowe, Sr. Elementary School on September 17 in an unveiling ceremony attended by representatives from the collaborative partners as well as DISD trustees and administrative staff. The Book Vending Machines have a proven history in the DISD system of increasing literacy and enthusiasm for reading. “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” - Margaret Fuller
