What is the AOK Feed and Read and how does it work?
The Winter Break Feed and Read Program was started in 2013 by Mankato’s Nu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a group of women educators. After the establishment of AOK (Alliances and Outreach for Kids), the program grew to two separate book distribution seasons, the Winter Break Feed and Read and the June Feed and Read. AOK raises funds to purchase books, and is assisted by area businesses (see below).
This initiative is the only one of its kind in Minnesota.
The Feed and Read Program serves the Mankato Area Backpack Food Program’s students at all public elementary schools in Blue Earth County and at the two Mankato Area Public Schools' middle schools.
New books are given to students when they pick up their winter break Backpack Food Program food box, and are also given to students at the end of the school year to encourage summer reading.
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All books distributed to students are new books
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Students or their parents select books at their reading levels and interests
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Novels are popular, well-known, quality books, selected by the children’s librarian at the North Mankato Taylor Library
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Books are purchased through the North Mankato Taylor Library, taking advantage of their purchasing discount
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Mackin Book Publishers also donates books for the Winter Break Feed and Read season
We started in 2013 with 350 students. Currently, we served over 1,000 students!
We have been able to meet our book goals because so many community members and businesses stepped forward to help.
Special thanks go to our partners:
MACKIN Book Publisher
North Mankato Taylor Library
Child's World, Inc.
Coughlan Companies, Inc.
CreekSide Boutique
"The Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota very generously provided passes, and our longtime partner A-OK / Alliances and Outreach for Kids is providing an age-appropriate book for each child.
Join us in extending a huge THANK YOU to the Children's Museum & A-OK for all they do for our community!"
--from Feeding Our Communities Partners
2022
December, 2020
Feed and Read Sorting 2019
A-OK members have begun setting up for the 2019 Feed and Read. Sorting took place prior to December 12, and this year's Feed and Read will take place on December 18-19. Thank you to everyone who has signed up to volunteer!
The Feed and Read Program
Who Participates?
Students who receive a winter break food box from the Mankato Area Backpack Food Program. This includes K-8 students at all public elementary and middle schools in Mankato, Maple River, Lake Crystal, St. Clair and other neighboring towns, for a total of 28 schools.
How many students are involved?
We started in 2013 with 350 participating students.
In 2019, we served close to 1,200 students.
Who funds this program?
A-OK, Alliances and Outreach for Kids, an organization whose mission is to promote and to support a variety of enriching learning experiences for children in the Mankato area.
How does the Feed and Read program work?
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Participating students, or a student’s parents, select at least three new books to read when they pick up their winter break Backpack Food Program food boxes.
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Books distributed to students are new books
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Students, or their parents, select books at the student's reading level and interests.
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Books are popular, well-known, quality books, selected by the children’s librarian at theNorth Mankato Taylor Library
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Books are purchased through the North Mankato Taylor Library, which saves our program money!
A-OK has met our book goals thanks to the support of many community members and businesses. We thank you for your help!
If you would like to donate to our program, please contact us.
Interested in learning more about A-OK?
Please sign up for our email list: aokmankato@gmail.com
