Give the Gift of Literacy

Reading by third grade is a game-changer. It’s the #1 predictor of a child’s future success in school and life. Before third grade, kids learn to read—after third grade, they read to learn. But 61% of families facing financial instability don’t have books at home, making it harder for children to build strong literacy skills.

That’s where you come in.

What is the Children's Book Drive?

The Children’s Book Drive is a community-wide effort to put books into the hands of kids who need them most. Led by United Way of Treasure Valley in partnership with Book it Forward! Idaho, this initiative collects and distributes books to children across Idaho. From early learning centers and k-12 schools to juvenile detention centers, we're getting books into the hands of children who need them.

Our goal: 25,000 books. With your help, we can get there!

How You Can Help

📚 Donate new or gently-used children’s books at drop-off locations across the Treasure Valley.

💙 Sponsor the drive to help expand our reach. Reach out to our Senior Manager of Development and Community Engagement, Savannah Lewis for to get involved: slewis@unitedwaytv.org

🙌 Volunteer to help sort and distribute books to local kids. We'll update this page with a volunteer form shortly!

📢 Spread the Word by sharing posters or social media posts for the event. Click here to download our press kit.

Find a Drop-Off Location

Thank you to Albertsons, CapEd Credit Union, and WaFd Bank for providing drop-off locations! Bring your new or very-gently used books to them and together we can make sure every child–regardless of circumstance–has the opportunity to build their own personal library and a bright future. Book donations will be accepted March 1–28.

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Albertsons Logo
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CapED logo
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WaFd logo