Heifer International Launches New Read to FeedĀ® Tool

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Sept. 6, 2012) – Heifer International is excited to announce the launch of a new tool designed to engage classrooms in helping to end hunger and poverty around the world, while fostering a love of reading. Teachers will find it easier than ever to customize the beloved Read to Feed program and share their students’ progress with the whole community.

Read to Feed is a powerful reading-incentive program that melds the exciting work of Heifer International worldwide with specific reading goals. Now educators can set up a class goal and use Facebook, Twitter and email to encourage their friends, family and neighbors to get involved. Teachers looking for new ways to inspire their classes can tailor the Read to Feed program for their purposes with a new, easy-to-use website.

Read to Feed challenges children to use their own reading efforts to help buy Heifer International animals for other needy kids. The livestock provide nutrition and income from products like milk, meat and eggs. Kids love to work towards this goal, because it’s a purpose that makes sense to them. Hunger is a clear injustice and children want to be part of the solution.

The free Read to Feed kit is full of materials to make the project come to life. At the end of the program, the group pools its challenge funds and decides which animals to donate through Heifer International, to help other families move out of hunger and into self-reliance. Participating teachers have said the children become so focused on their hunger-fighting goal they almost don’t notice they’re benefiting themselves – by reading more!

Classes can add pictures, goals and achievements to the class page and use a fundraising thermometer to help keep track of all the progress.  Learn more or order the Read to Feed kit by emailing volunteer@heifer.org or calling 877-275-READ (7323). Read to Feed materials can also be downloaded at www.readtofeed.org.

About Heifer International
Heifer’s mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in more than 40 countries, including the United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant. For more information, visit www.heifer.orgor call  (800) 696-1918.