Valley school gets $10,000 grant from Fred Meyer

MEADOW LAKES — Meadow Lakes Elementary has been given a $10,000 grant from the Fred Meyer Fund for its Take-Home Reading Program that encourages, supports and rewards students and their families reading at home together.

The Take-Home Reading program has become such a success that principal Carl Chamblee has expanded it to include a parent component. The grant will be used to purchase and provide quality books for every 25 days of reading. As students and their families work their way toward 100 days of reading at home they’re able to earn small incentives such as pencils, gel pens and book markers that keep them on track to their goal of 100 days of reading. Once they reach the 100 day milestone the grant also provides Meadow Lakes with the funding to purchase and provide them with either a customized book bag or T-shirt. The parents are encouraged to promote reading together as a family.

The Fred Meyer Fund assists nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping children and reducing hunger in communities served by 128 Fred Meyer stores in Alaska, Oregon, Washington and Idaho.  In 2007, the Fred Meyer Fund awarded $1.7 million in grants.