United Way Literacy Kits

The path to literacy begins with 
having the right supplies.

Early learning resources are critical to ensuring children in the Greater Richmond & Petersburg region are ready for kindergarten and reading at grade-level by third grade. United Way is committed to helping young children in our region achieve success.

How It Works

Throughout the year, we collect and assemble thousands of Literacy Kits to be delivered to students in our region. Each kit includes school supplies, an age appropriate book and information for families so students can be prepared for kindergarten and reading at grade-level by third grade. These are the three major steps for creating and delivering Literacy Kits to the public:

HOLD LITERACY KIT DRIVES

Volunteers collect books and school supplies for their own drives, which are then assembled into Literacy Kits.

ASSEMBLE LITERACY KITS

United Way coordinates and facilitates groups of volunteers on-site and off-site to assemble more than 2,000 Literacy Kits.

DISTRIBUTE TO SCHOOLS

Early elementary students at schools throughout the region receive kits at various times throughout the year.

2024-2025 Timeline

All completed Kits must be dropped off at United Way.

Summer 2024

8/8/24 — Literacy Kit Kick-Off

On August 8, 8:30-9:30 a.m., we’re having a kick-off meeting. Sign up here through Eventbrite.

9/6/24 — Deadline for Educators to Request Literacy Kits

Autumn 2024

10/15/24 by 4:30 p.m. — Autumn Literacy Kit Donation Deadline

10/22/24 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. — Autumn Literacy Kit Distribution

On October 22, 12:00-2:00 p.m., we’re distributing Literacy Kits to local schools. Sign up here through Eventbrite.

Spring 2025

4/4/25 by 4:30 p.m. — Spring Literacy Kit Donation Deadline

4/10/25 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. — Spring Literacy Kit Distribution

On April 10, 12:00-2:00 p.m., we’re distributing Literacy Kits to local schools. Sign up here through Eventbrite.

Ways to Get Involved

Host a Literacy Kit Drive

Bring together friends, neighbors or colleagues to raise supplies and books and assemble them into Literacy Kits. Our toolkit makes it easy to plan your drive, garner support, communicate the need and increase the impact of your efforts. Find ideas and tools to help get you started.

Learn More

Become a Literacy Kit Leader

Any group donating 100 completed kits or $1,500 will be recognized as a Literacy Kit Leader. Learn more about being recognized as a Literacy Kit Leader.

Learn More

Donate Completed Kits

Contributing United Way Literacy Kits is fun, easy and can be done from home. Use our supply list to collect and assemble the necessary items.

View List

Volunteer

United Way Literacy Kits are a year-round effort. We are always recruiting volunteers to help with upcoming phases. Keep an eye on this page for announcements or email volunteer@yourunitedway.org to learn more.

Resources

2024-2025 Literacy Kit Toolkit

Learn More

2,366 Literacy Kits

were collected this year.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Event: Spring Literacy Kit Delivery
Date: April 10, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm-2:00 pm; Google Calendar
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Location: United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg; + Google Map

We are looking for volunteers who are generously willing to take boxes and bags of Literacy Kits and deliver them to designated Elementary Schools around our service area. We have Elementary Schools receiving Literacy Kits in: Goochland, Dinwiddie, Petersburg, New Kent, Chesterfield, Henrico, and Richmond Proper. This is an incredibly rewarding experience to see the year-round hard work of dedicated volunteers pay off to serve our community! Volunteers will meet at the United Way office for refreshments and a quick debriefing, then be on their way to deliver Literacy Kits to local Elementary Schools! Must have a vehicle and valid Driver's License to participate. Please email volunteer@yourunitedway.org if you have a preference of locality. Please note: Locality preferences are first-come-first-serve, your preference of locality is not guaranteed, and you may be assigned to any of the above localities.

Need a little more support?

Email Tiffani