Jet Blue's Vending Machines Will Be Welcomed At Any School

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Photo Credit: JetBlue

While vending machines have a bad reputation generally, they are particularly frowned upon in schools. That's because most are filled with foods that are deemed unhealthy for both kids and adults. However, no one will have any objection to Jet Blue's vending machines. That's because they dispense free books!

The U.S. airline's pilot program was launched in early July in Washington D.C.' s historic Anacostia neighborhood. It was picked because Jet Blue's research indicated that kids in the area had access to only one age appropriate book for every 830 children. To change the dire ratio the company has installed three vending machines in locations that are widely frequented by the locals - a Safeway grocery store, a Salvation Army and a neighborhood church.

Photo Credit: JetBlue

The machines are filled with 12 age appropriate books for children 0-14. A total of 42 titles are being offered, and the selection is rotated every two weeks. Kids can help themselves to as many books as they wish and return for more as many times as they desire. The best part? Unlike a library, the books are theirs to keep.

Jet Blue and their partners Random House Children's Books and Magic TreeHouse author Mary Pope Osborne, say they are committed to giving away 100,000 books. As of August 25, 16,000 had been claimed. The company now plans to extend its vending machine program to impoverished neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston and New York City.

Photo Credit: JetBlue

Though the book vending machines are new, this is not the first time Jet Blue and their partners have given away books. Since 2011, the company's "Soar with Reading" program has donated over $1,250,000 USD worth of books to kids in need!

Resources: usnews.com, washingtonpost.com,soarwithreading,com

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255 Comments
  • emilyabout 5 years
    so nice
    • messi10almost 6 years
      who loves books
      • ???almost 7 years
        that's real nice
        • .over 7 years
          I like books
          • Pineappleover 7 years
            That is a really good idea but the books might break when they fall into the bottom of the machine when you get them.
            • k1225430
              k1225430about 6 years
              I don’t think so the probably have a way to prevent that
            • lailacat46
              lailacat46over 7 years
              Oh my gosh.This is perfect for those who do not have any books or for those who are learning to read.
              • jwrocks
                jwrocksover 7 years
                i wish i had one at my school!
                • liviloo
                  livilooover 7 years
                  😅😅😅😅😅
                  • liviloo
                    livilooover 7 years
                    OMG!!! I just remembered I absolutely HAVE to do an article for my homework tonight
                    • liviloo
                      livilooover 7 years
                      I love to read LOL!!!!!!!!!👩🏿