NEESES, S.C. — Orangeburg County is celebrating Read Across America Week by introducing a new reading tool for children.
A book vending machine has been set up at the Piggly Wiggly in Neeses. It's one of five such machines in the entire Midlands.
Orangeburg County School District partnered up with the Carolina Family Engagement Center at the University of South Carolina to bring a book vending machine to Neeses.
Indya Boatwright is in the fifth grade and said it gives her options.
“People should have books like reading on a daily, instead of sitting at home on their phone watching so and so," said Boatwright.
Children who visit the Piggly Wiggly in Neeses are able to get a coin for a free book out of the vending machine.
Jaycion Brothers is a fourth-grade student and said this is helpful for those who cannot afford books.
“So it means that kids can come around and see and they can get books if they don’t have the money for it," Brothers said.
Laurann Patel is the family engagement liaison for the Carolina Family Engagement Center, which supports underserved families. She said this was a community effort.
“When the schools and families, caregivers and the community come together around students to support student learning that’s when we all win,” said Patel. “Because students get that support from every part of their life whether they are going to the grocery store or the library, or the school and class or church, wherever it may be. They’re having that community support around them and that helps them learn and helps them grow into wonderful adults.”
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Kimberly Ray is the parent liaison coordinator for Orangeburg County School District. She says literacy and access to books are vital for children.
“Well you know what they say… readers are leaders,” said Ray. “Literacy is just very important. When you open a book you open up a door of creativity you open up travel wonder just everything in a book. Books need to be free an accessible to everyone. Everyone has a right to learn and have quality learning tools.”
The manager at the Piggly Wiggly said the vending machine is so popular that they have to replenish it with books every few weeks.