WELDON, Ill. (WCIA) — DeLand-Weldon Elementary School just got a new vending machine, but it’s not the kind that usually comes to mind.
Instead of snacks or cold drinks, books sit inside, waiting to be chosen.
The school is the newest recipient of a custom machine from the Heart of the Illinois Community Foundation.
“Our job is to find the needs of our local communities and try to fill the needs,” said the foundation’s Philanthropic Advisor Cristin Wright.
The books are not purchasable with money. The machine exclusively accepts gold tokens awarded to students who assist others, demonstrate kindness, or achieve targeted goals.
“It will be their personal book; they can inscribe their name in it, read it repeatedly, and share it with their family, showing their achievement in earning the book,” mentioned Elementary Principal Jill Collins.
In an era of screens and video games, it gets kids excited about something a bit more old school.
“It fosters a love of reading, and the educators love that,” Wright said.
The vending machines also help the economy. The six across Central Illinois are stocked with books from local, independent bookstores.
Although the machine will primarily be used next year, four students who’ve made strides in their reading got to try it out on Thursday.
“This is just an extra incentive for those who decide to maybe go above and beyond what they would normally do,” Collins said.
The school accommodates around 100 students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade. Collins aspires that the vending machine will provide them with motivation to aspire towards throughout their elementary years and in the future.
