As a primarily volunteer organization, we are always in need of new or gently-used children’s books, ages Pre-K through 4th grade. We will also accept middle & high school-aged books.

“The Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report: Fifth Edition confirms what we’ve long known: Independent reading, both at school and at home, builds successful readers. What’s more, the research shows that giving students a say in what they read is key. And from our experience, we also know that frequent reading creates proficient readers who thrive personally and academically.”

One of our goals on our Ride for Reading Book Deliveries is to provide students the opportunity to select a book of their choice to take home to promote literacy both in and outside the classroom. With a statewide (and nationwide) push by school districts to improve literacy, Ride for Reading is helping by donating books to schools in low-income communities. We want to help improve outcomes by donating books to students who may be struggling with reading. “We have found that there is a gap between school and home when it comes to literacy,” said Brenda Mikec, Executive Director of Ride for Reading. “A lot of students don’t have books, much less age-appropriate ones, at home and this affects the progress that is made during the school day. We want to make sure every child has the tools necessary to succeed as we work to decrease, and ultimately eliminate, illiteracy rates.” Ride for Reading promotes literacy and healthy living among kids living in low-income communities by delivering age-appropriate books via bicycle. With the support of volunteers, sponsors and partners, Ride for Reading has been serving the Nashville and surrounding communities for over 10 years!

If you would like to collect or donate books to be delivered to children in lower-income communities, you can do so in the following ways:

1. Schedule a pick-up or meet-up with a Ride for Reading staff member or volunteer by e-mailing info@rideforreading.org.
2. Visit one of our drop-off sites in and around Nashville.
3. Host a book drive at your business, school, neighborhood, etc. Once books are collected, contact info@rideforreading.org to arrange a drop-off or pick-up.

Book Donation Drop-Off Sites

For your convenience we have drop-off sites located around Nashville with our business supporters.

*NOTE: For large book donations, please contact the location ahead of time to ensure they have the space or contact us at info@rideforreading.org to coordinate a drop-off. Please see list below:

Book Drive

A Ride for Reading Book Drive is a great way to get involved in your local community and engage your neighborhood or business to help RfR collect new or gently-used children’s books (grades pre-K – 5th grade) that will directly be delivered to children in a local Elementary Title 1 School or Community Center. All you need are some cardboard boxes and a few drop-off spots to set up a convenient collection area.

Local bike shops, coffee shops, businesses, apartment complexes and neighborhoods are typically great places to come together to collect a large amount of books.

Many of our deliveries require approximately 1,000 children’s books, so this is a great goal to aim for. This allows enough books for each child to choose at least 2 books.

Feel free to contact info@rideforreading.org for any questions on how to begin your Book Drive. Here are a few items that you may use for your Community Book Drive:

• Book Drive Flyer
• Book Drop-Off Sign
• How to Coordinate a Book Drive Flyer

Thank you for your willingness to help collect books on behalf of Ride for Reading!

Thank You

Thank you to these individuals, businesses and organizations for donating and/or collecting several books, or coordinating/hosting a community book drive for Ride for Reading!

Businesses/Organizations

• Apple Store (Mall at Green Hills)
• Better World Books
• Boy Scouts of America (Sally Robertson)
• CycleBar Franklin
• Fairytales Bookstore
• Front Porch Ministry
• Frothy Monkey (Nations)
• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
• Hunters Bend Elementary School
• Lenox Village Town Center/Retreat
• McKay’s Bookstore
• Mostly Tomatos
• Music City Church
• Nashville Christian Elementary (Matthew Edens)
• News Channel 5
• Nolensville Library
• OnLife Health
• Ravenwood High School (Nicholas Nicastro)
• Residences of Capitol View
• Rutherford County Schools (Kate Benavides)
• Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea – Lenox Village
• Therapeutic Interventions (Alyssa Fernandez)
• Vanderbilt Otalaryngology Dept.
• Vera Bradley (Cool Springs)
• Whitaker Corporation (Robert Komisar)

Individuals

• Kim Fletcher
• Michael Friddell
• Troy Williams
• Amanda Busch
• Maureen Sanderson
• Marlene Cheatham
• Michelle Bonnett