Schools, community organizations and programs, and individuals may qualify to receive books at no cost.

A number of literacy organizations, including those below, strive to put new or gently used books into children’s hands. Each organization has its own application process and locations for distributing books. Contact the organization for more information or Get in Touch with READ! 365 online or by calling 412-365-2034.

Beginning with Books
412-361-8560
5920 Kirkwood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Mon Valley Education Consortium
412-678-9215
336 Shaw Avenue
McKeesport, PA 15132
Note: Distributes books at their location and through local food pantries or the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

Reading Is FUNdamental Pittsburgh
412-321-8022
415 East Ohio Street, Suite 325
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

In addition, the Literacy Empowerment Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting educational programs by providing inexpensive children’s books. The Foundation has several programs available to teachers, non-profit groups, and reading programs. Its “Reading Recycling Project” distributes new and gently used books in sets of 100, free of charge to literacy programs; recipients merely pay shipping, handling, and administrative costs. Through “Books by Bruce,” the Foundation distributes new books by author Bruce Larkin to kindergarten and first grade classrooms.

"This is like Christmas for the after-school kids. You’ve helped us put books in these children’s hands, books that we usually do not have the means to buy."