Reading Is Fundamental Literacy Kits

Watch Our Short Overview Video

What is a RIF Literacy Kit?

Volunteers across the country, come together to assemble literacy kits that provide critical reading resources to students in their local communities. Each literacy kit contains the following items: 

• Tote bag: Used to hold all the resources each child will receive.
• Student Books: A set of 3 high-quality children’s books for each child to keep and enjoy, providing book access and ownership.
• Bookplate Stickers: These are placed within each book and give children a special place to write their names and take pride in owning their new books.
• Bookmark: Each child receives 1 bookmark to use with their new books. Volunteers are encouraged to write encouraging reading messages on the back.
• Activity Sheet: Included to enrich and extend the reading experience beyond the books.
• Optional: RIF may include thank you notes as a creative way for children to express their gratitude back to volunteers. If you do not receive thank you notes, they were sent directly to the schools. 

Setting Up for a RIF Literacy Kit Event

Step 1: Confirm Delivery of Materials 

Prior to your volunteer event, RIF will send all the materials to the location provided. In your RIF Welcome Email, tracking information and a packing list for quantities of each material are included. Check the boxes and count the materials to ensure everything arrives. If not, contact your RIF account representative immediately. 

TIP: You may have slightly extra materials and that is to be expected. Simply package any remainders with the completed literacy kits and deliver to the schools for them to utilize. 

Step 2: Set Up Materials

On the day of your volunteer event, designate a space to spread out the kit materials so your volunteers have the room needed to assemble kits. This can be an assembly line or distribute materials across a few tables for small groups to pack together. Try to identify a space that has plenty of room for volunteers to move, gather materials, and package the finalized kits for delivery.

Step 3: Welcome Volunteers

• Consider kicking off your volunteer event with a few words on RIF and children’s literacy to set the tone for the activity. A brief presentation is available to download and you can find more information at rif.org/why-reading-matters
• Provide volunteers with a quick overview of instructions and what to expect. Consider sharing the training video located on this page.

How to Assemble a RIF Literacy Kit

Step 1: Apply Bookplate Stickers

Direct volunteers to open the first blank page of each student book and have them place a RIF bookplate sticker. These bookplates provide a place for children to write their names, furthering a sense of ownership.

TIP: Avoid covering the book’s title or author. You may need to get creative with placement of the bookplate sticker!

Step 2: Write Encouraging Messages on Bookmarks

Direct volunteers to write a short, uplifting message on the back of each bookmark to inspire reading and learning. Examples include:

• “Every page is a new adventure—keep turning!”
• “Reading lights the way to endless possibilities!”

Step 3: Assemble Literacy Kits

Finally, have volunteers compile each literacy kit by placing the following items into each tote bag:

• 3 student books (with bookplates previously applied)
• 1 bookmark (with an encouraging message on the back)
• 1 activity sheet
• 1 thank you note

Step 4: Pack and Deliver Kits

Once the literacy kits are fully assembled, pack them neatly back into boxes. You and/or a small team will personally drop off the kits to the school or community partner provided by RIF. Specific delivery instructions will be provided prior to your volunteer event so that you can immediately drop the kits off at the school.