PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) – Wood County WIC now has a free vending machine and it’s not the kind with candy. It’s the kind with books.
The vending machine opened to the public this week. It’s meant for kids to use after their WIC appointment at the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department.
The books are aimed at pre-school and elementary school-aged children.
It’s something Wood County WIC Director Jennifer Habeb hopes brings some joy.
“I really hope kids enjoy coming to their WIC appointment and I hope they’re excited to pick out a book and I do hope it encourages them to read and read more books,” she said.
Inside each book, there is a piece of paper with activities aimed at helping with reading comprehension as well as S.T.E.A.M. education.
The Neal and Brooke Brown Foundation gave the machine to WIC and the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation-Spartan Foundation supplied the books, according to a press release.
WVU Nursery School approached WIC about the project in hopes of promoting the Born to Achieve: I CAN READ project, according to Habeb.
Copyright 2022 WTAP. All rights reserved.