14th annual Children’s Book Drive Needs YOU to Drop Off Books at Many RI Locations

April–May effort supports Books Are Wings and helps get free books into kids’ hands statewide

Rhode Islanders are once again invited to share the joy of reading with children across the state. Throughout April and May, the United Way of Rhode Island is hosting its 14th annual Children’s Book Drive in support of Books Are Wings, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free books to children from Woonsocket to Westerly.

Since its launch, the drive has collected more than 390,000 books—including over 45,000 in 2025 alone. Donations of new and gently used children’s books, from infancy through grade 5, are welcomed.

Community members, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to host collection drives to help children build their own home libraries. All donated books will be distributed through Books Are Wings’ school and community programs, as well as summer learning sites.

For those who prefer to give online, supporters can purchase books through the organization’s Amazon Wish List and have them shipped directly.

“When children aren’t reading proficiently by the end of third grade, they are far less likely to graduate high school—and right now, just one in three Rhode Island students meet reading expectations,” said Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island. “This book drive is a simple but powerful way to help ensure every child has access to the books they need to learn and thrive.”

Dozens of collection sites are available across Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. Key locations include:

United Way headquarters at 50 Valley Street in Providence

Books Are Wings office at Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket

Centreville Bank branches

Washington Trust branches

Shaw’s supermarkets

Cardi’s Furniture and Mattress stores in West Warwick, Attleboro, and Swansea.

More drop-off locations are available on the United Way website – For more information or to request posters and materials to promote the event for your groups, contact United Way.