We are passionate about reading and literacy. Since 2001 we have been working in partnership with charity the National Literacy Trust to bring about change in our local communities.

Through our local projects, all Books for Children (ABC) and Starbucks Bookdrive we have together shared almost half a million books with children and their families across the UK.

All Books for Children

All Books for Children is an innovative national project that promotes the fun of reading and the importance of book choice to children aged 0-4 years old and their families in areas of high need through the gift of free books. It was first launched in May 2001 and is delivered by the NLT’s Reading Is Fundamental, UK (RIF) initiative, and Starbucks Coffee. Starbucks partners work alongside RIF, librarians and agencies such as Sure Start to provide effective, targeted projects that genuinely benefit local communities.

Starbucks Bookdrive

Every Christmas our stores host the Bookdrive, our campaign to get books into the hands of children in our local communities. Throughout the months of November and December, we invite our partners (employees) and customers to think about a book that made an impact on them as a child and donate it in one of the collection boxes in store and from January our partners drop by their local primary schools to give this gift of reading. In 2007 our partners, customers and communities donated over 220,000 children’s books to more that 230 schools.

Phil Broad, Managing Director, Starbucks UK said: "The results have really exceeded all expectations and I am delighted that we were able to make such a vital contribution to local schools and children. Bookdrive shows that with our customers and partners working together, we can make a real difference to the community whilst promoting the benefits and importance of literacy."

You can find out more about the National Literacy Trust by visiting them online at www.literacytrust.org.uk

 In the meantime you can get involved in supporting literacy in your community by:

1. Joining your local library

2. Volunteering your time to read locally. Visit www.timebank.org.uk to get started.

3. Making a donation to The National Literacy Trust at www.literacytrust.org.uk