Lead to Read KC to be included in Kansas City's 2026 Giving Machine

This holiday season, a vending machine at Union Station is doing something unexpected. Instead of snacks and sodas, The Giving Machine offers gifts that meet real needs in our community, and Lead to Read KC is proud to be one of just seven local nonprofits featured.


Here’s how it works: choose an item, make your donation, and watch it “drop.” Every purchase becomes a real gift, and 100 percent of each donation goes directly to the participating nonprofit. When you choose a Lead to Read item, you’re putting books and reading support in the hands of Kansas City kids.


Already planning a holiday trip to Union Station? Make The Giving Machine part of your family tradition. Take in the festive sights, then stop by the kiosks and let your kids pick the gift, press the button, and see their kindness in action. It’s a fun, hands-on way to show them what generosity looks like and share the joy of reading.

The Giving Machine

Nov. 20 to Jan. 1

Union Station

30 W Pershing Rd, KCMO

Watch for the traveling machine at the Hallmark Christmas Experience at Crown Center, too!

 

BY THE NUMBERS

A few highlights of our impact in 2025-2026:

THE RESULT:

15 Years, 15 Voices

To celebrate Lead to Read KC’s 15th anniversary, we interviewed 15 supporters: students, parents, school leaders, volunteers, staff members, and community partners. Together, their stories reveal what makes Lead to Read, Lead to Read.


Many of those stories trace back to the beginning: In 2011, two former teachers, Lynn and Jean Rundle, saw that students who struggled in school weren’t just missing reading skills. Reading simply didn’t feel relevant to their lives. Their answer was Reading Mentoring, pairing caring adults with students to build skills and a lifelong love of reading.


Fifteen years later, that vision has grown to include tutoring with certified teachers, local author visits, and book distribution.


The heart of our work hasn’t changed. One-on-one support meets kids where they are. Reading shifts from chore to joy. Confidence grows. And as each student closes gaps, the whole classroom rises.


Their stories start Nov. 10. Watch your inbox.

Join us at The KC Book Fair on Thursday!

When: Thursday, November 5, 2026 • 3 to 7 p.m.

Where: The Offices at Park 39 at 300 E 39th St, KCMO 64111


Just two days until The KC Book Fair! Knock out your holiday shopping with books and gifts for everyone on your list, or treat yourself to your next great read. Plus food, drinks, music, and Kansas City Current's Croix Bethune will sign and sell copies of her children's book, I am, I will, I can from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.*

Buy $25 admission tickets online or at the door. Guests under 18 get in free, no ticket required. Ticket sales support Lead to Read KC programs, and fair purchases fund a free book fair for Academy for Integrated Arts Charter, a Lead to Read KC partner school.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Armstrong World Industries Foundation!

*Subject to change

 
Bookmark This: Events, Opportunities and Reminders
 

HOLIDAY BREAK | There are no reading sessions the week of Nov. 23-27. Thank you to all our Reading Mentors, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!


SEVERE WEATHER | Forecast looking iffy? Remember, in the event of a cancelation, Site Coordinators will notify Reading Mentors by email.


WE'RE MOVING! | Lead to Read KC is in the process of packing up and moving to a new office. We'll provide full details about the fabulous new space in January!


VOLUNTEER | Help process children's book donations at the old Lead to Read KC office one last time on Nov. 13. Volunteers ages 12+ are welcome!


LET'S GET SOCIAL | Follow Lead to Read KC on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, and please like, subscribe, comment on, and share our posts.

 
The Mentor Moment: A Monthly Peek Inside the Classroom
 
Smiling man sits on the floor in a classroom hallway posing with a elementary student making a funny face

Robb Traylor of Hallmark is a longtime Reading Mentor who helps recruit other volunteers to Faxon Elementary.

Support more moments:

 
Lead to Read KC logo
Creating a community of readers, one lunch hour at a time since 2011.
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