A new vending machine was unveiled at Monaco Elementary School, but it doesn’t sell snacks or drinks; instead, it is filled with books.
The Aubrey Education Foundation partnered with Atmos Energy on the book vending machine to help promote literacy in school.
“We just want to thank Atmos for your contributions in providing the machine, and at this point, a lot of the books,” Aubrey Education Foundation Vice President Don Richmond said. “For the Education Foundation, literacy is one of our big programs, and so this is … how we're trying to promote that through all of our schools.”
Earlier in the year, the Aubrey Education Foundation partnered with PointBank to provide a vending machine at Owens Middle School.
The vending machine at Monaco featured a collection of different books targeting all elementary grade levels.
Some of the books included “Fly Guy,” “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and “National Geographic.”
“Part of our main pillar is children's literacy, and this fits perfectly into both of our pillars, so we're just happy to be a part of this and happy to sponsor this for y'all,” Atmos Energy Public Affairs Caleb Robbins said. “I know it will be put to use.”
Before the students tested out the machine, Principal Brett Dobbs shared how the students will be chosen.
“Five students each week will get a book for qualifying for perfect attendance,” Dobbs said.
Each student in the inaugural group was handed a certificate commending them for having perfect attendance.
First grader Miles Jenks looked at the rows of options and decided on “Bad Kitty Drawn to Trouble” by Nick Bruel.
With Dobbs's help, they walked through the process together.
First, he inserted a token, made his selection on the keypad and pressed enter.
“One book, coming right up,” the vending machine said.
