Kiwanis Club Donates Bookworm Vending Machine

The Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.

They were able to provide the machine with the help of a grant from Kiwanis International and the Kiwanis District Foundation. The grant was specifically created to give financial assistance to Title I schools in the Myrtle Beach area. Over 600 students at this school benefited from the Kiwanis Club donation of a book vending machine.

The Challenge of Pandemic Learning Loss Before Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine

The Horry County school district, which includes Palmetto Bays Elementary, is still trying to bounce back from the pandemic. State Education Superintendent Weaver told Live 5 News in Charleston S.C. the latest scores show that only just over 50% of South Carolina students are reading at grade level.

“We can’t sugarcoat the truth,” Weaver said. “We have a lot of work to do, but I know that we are pursuing strategies both at Columbia and here at the local level that are going to address those gaps and those challenges. Looking forward, we must redouble our efforts to support early literacy using the Science of Reading, a strategy that we already see showing strong promise in S.C.’s ELA scores,”

Why Kiwanis of Myrtle Beach Chose Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine

Thanks to grants from the Kiwanis Children’s Fund, more children are developing a passion for reading. Across the globe, Kiwanis clubs are inspiring a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. In August 2023, the Children’s Fund generously awarded grants to eight clubs, each recognized for their efforts in making books accessible in homes and classrooms, overcoming language barriers, utilizing online apps to bridge learning gaps, and addressing stigmas associated with learning disabilities, as highlighted on the club’s official website. 

As one of the grantees, Kiwanis of Myrtle Beach purchased Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine for Palmetto Bays Elementary School

The Children’s Fund strategically allocates funds to projects aligned with Kiwanis causes, such as literacy. Whether supporting a local Kiwanis Club's service project or collaborating with a partner club, the Children’s Fund ensures that its grants have a profound and far-reaching impact.

If you are interested in extending your club’s impact, learn how to  apply for a grant to help kids in your community.  

How Kiwanis Saw Benefit and Impact of Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine

Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine provides students at Palmetto Bays Elementary with the opportunity to build their home libraries. This personal reward approach aims to make reading a lifelong achievement. For kids, it fosters a culture of literacy that goes beyond the classroom. The book vending machine is a creative approach to get kids excited about reading. Students earn gold tokens for achievements. Then they use the token to vend a brand new book. The Kiwanis Club, Staff and Students are positive this initiative will leave a lasting impact on the school.

Henrietta Gardner, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach told WPDE News why this donation is so important to the club.

“Instill the love of learning and reading around the world is very important for us at Kiwanis. We love the kids. Everything is about the kids. So, we just love to get out in the community, and just be with them, and enjoy them and show them that the community cares.”

Gardener went on to explain that Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine operates on a reward incentive program. She believes that the fun of earning books will make reading a lifelong achievement for kids.

Conclusion

The Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, U.S., plans to install book vending machines in area elementary and middle schools. All the schools are part of the Title I program. Once completed, the club estimates that over 5,000 students will be able to select books from the machines as rewards for good deeds, good grades and good citizenship. Club members also have plans to work directly with the students. The machines will be continuously stocked with books purchased through club and school fundraisers.