In partnership with the Summer Food Programs provided by the public school systems in Bryan, Effingham and Liberty counties, United Way of the Coastal Empire is distributing free books to children throughout the summer.

At some sites, volunteers will also be reading to children. On Friday, June 24, United Way gave books to more than 700 children at 11 sites throughout the three counties.

This summer reading program is part of the organization’s Read United initiative, promoting year-round early childhood literacy throughout the region. A big part of Read United focuses on providing vulnerable children in pre-K through second grade with free books to help build their at-home libraries and bridge the literacy gap.

For more information about the Read United summer reading program in your area, call 912.651.7751 (Bryan County), 912.826.5326 (Effingham County) or 912.877.6805 (Liberty County).