Entergy Texas sponsors United Way's book vending machine program at BISD

BEAUMONT, TX -- As part of its ongoing commitment to investing in education, Entergy Texas donated $50,000 to the United Way of Beaumont & North Jefferson County to support a new book vending machine program within the Beaumont Independent School District (BISD). The program allows BISD to implement incentives aligned with student attendance, behavior, effort, and reading practice. Students are awarded special tokens for meeting their goals, which can be used at on-campus book vending machines. BISD held a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at Guess Elementary to celebrate the official start of the program.

“Beaumont ISD is overwhelmed by the generosity of Entergy Texas, the United Way of Beaumont & North Jefferson County, and their incredible support of our literacy initiatives that will positively impact our students and community,” said Jenny Angelo, executive director of curriculum and instruction for Beaumont ISD. “Thanks to this community partnership, along with several other sponsors, every elementary school in the district will have access to a book vending machine. The support of Entergy Texas and United Way of Beaumont & North Jefferson County will have a measurable and lasting impact on our student achievement and contribute towards growing our students as life-long readers and learners.”

Through Entergy Texas’ sponsorship, the United Way of Beaumont & North Jefferson County will be able to fill book vending machines on 10 BISD school campuses every month throughout the 2023-2024 school year, providing thousands of books to students across the district. Unlike visiting a library, the books students select from the vending machines will be theirs to keep.

“United Way is truly grateful for the support of Entergy Texas during the launch of the United Way is Growing Readers literacy initiative,” said Karyn Husbands, president and CEO of United Way of Beaumont & North Jefferson County. “The desire is to help build home libraries for young scholars and create opportunities for learning."

Beaumont ISD recognized and thanked both community partners for their contributions and ongoing support during the September BISD Board meeting. To learn more about how to sponsor a BISD book vending machine, contact the United Way of Beaumont & North Jefferson County.