Rice County Area United Way is the regional sponsor for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, sending a free, age-appropriate book each month to all registered children who live in the service area.

Staff and volunteers offer assistance with: - Decision-making - Assessments for services - Medical escorts for doctor appointments - Home safety assessments - Assistance with needed paperwork for application for services - Connection to programs and referrals - Checkbook balancing - Respite care - Friendly visitors - Transportation - Grocery assistance - Chore requests - Senior companion - Fall prevention education - Books to Go program

Used books at reasonable prices: ?- Stock includes children's books, fiction, non-fiction, and foreign language fiction ?- Gift items such as canvas bags, gift certificates, music CDs, and signed books are also available ?- Accepts small donations of books The Friends of the Library Used Bookstore is managed by volunteers. Volunteers consist of 10-20 board members. The purpose of the bookstore is to raise funds for the library collection and programs, support special projects, and promote awareness through community involvement including: ?- Food Shelves and Book Shelves: Helps to provide needy children and adults with free books through Channel One and Community Food Response ?- Operation Paperback: Sends donated books to troops deployed overseas by joining the non-profit program called Operation Paperback ?- Friends' Activities: Provides funding for children's summer reading, various databases, visiting authors, purchasing materials for the library's collection, providing volunteers and more

Books for Kids is a program designed to instill the joy of reading in children by providing free books and parenting resources to families who live and work in Blue Earth, Le Sueur, Nicollet, and Waseca counties. Children ages 2 months through 4 years 11 months receive a free book every other month.

Promotes community involvement and philanthropic giving among women in the community of Otter Tail and Wadena County. Women United is involved with programs that promote early literacy including the Imagination Library, Buddy Book Bins, and Prescription Reading. Involvements include: - Educating women on the United Way's Community Impact work - Offering women opportunities to be engaged in the work - Keep women informed about the needs of the community

Promotes community involvement and philanthropic giving among women in the community of Otter Tail and Wadena County. Women United is involved with programs that promote early literacy including the Imagination Library, Buddy Book Bins, and Prescription Reading. Involvements include: - Educating women on the United Way's Community Impact work - Offering women opportunities to be engaged in the work - Keep women informed about the needs of the community

Stocks and provides gently used or new books appropriate for children in the community where families visit. Children are invited to take a book home to keep, share, and enjoy. Donations of new and gently used books for children ages 0-8 accepted. Cannot accept books printed before 1980, religious books, coloring books, or magazines.

School readiness program where parents are supported and children are engaged in activities that include: - Advocacy, resource information, and referrals - Bi-lingual staff and interpreters - Book lending library - Educational, age-appropriate activities and books - Family involvement opportunities - Home visits - Inclusion of children with disabilities - Nutritious meals and snacks - Parenting and child development education - Vision, hearing, height, weight, and developmental screenings

Imagination Library is a literacy program that provides children ages birth - 5 with a free monthly book.

Literacy program providing children with a free new book every month in the mail until the age of five.

ECFE is a parenting education program for all Minnesota families with children between the ages of birth to Kindergarten entrance. Learning opportunities through ECFE may occur in a variety of settings, such as the families' homes, district or community sites, and online parenting education and support. Programming and education services often include parents/caregivers and children but may just include parents/caregivers. ECFE works to strengthen families and engage the ability of all parents to provide an environment that supports healthy child development. Services may include: - Parent-child activities - Parent discussion groups - Play and learn activities for children - Home visits - Special events for the entire family - Book and toy lending library - Information on community resources - Programs for non-English language learners - Workshops on specific topics - School readiness program for children age 3 1/2 - 4 - Early childhood screening for children ages 3 - 5 - Dad and child programs - Single parent program NOTE: Call for current class offerings and schedule of events

Community center that is home to the active aging adult programs, youth and family programs, and partner organizations, offering: - Meeting space for rent - On-site community agency partners - Little Free Library located outside of the West entrance provides free books for all ages - Hosts events and activities honoring veterans and active duty military personnel

Provides an age-appropriate book every month to every enrolled child ages birth to 5 years old in Steele County.

Delivers age- and developmentally-appropriate books monthly to children's home; children enrolled at birth will have a library of up to 60 books by the time they enter kindergarten.

Provides one book each month to children in Olmsted County from birth to age 5 whose parents register to receive them. - Books are sturdy, colorful, age appropriate, and are delivered directly to the child. - Each book is selected for the developmental benefits it brings - 2 bilingual English/Spanish available books per year

Thrift store provides discounted clothing, furniture, household goods, sporting equipment, books, electronics and more. Store vouchers may be available for individuals and families in need on a case-by-case basis.

Children ages birth - 5 years old who live in the United Way of Southwest Minnesota service area can receive an age and developmentally appropriate book each month at home.

Provides free books on a weekly basis to promote reading in the home.

Provides an age-appropriate book every month to every enrolled child ages birth to 5 years old in Kandiyohi County and portions of Chippewa, Meeker, Renville, Stearns, and Swift counties.

Provides needed items for children of all ages to families in need. This includes: -baby gear -baby food -diapers -clothes -toys -books

Items accepted as donations and sold include: - Blankets, quilts, bedspreads, linens, and towels - Books and toys - Gently used seasonal clothing - Household items including dishes, pots, pans, and utensils - Jewelry and watches - Records, CDs, portable stereos, and videos - Select furniture. No beds, only headboards, and frames - Shoes and boots - Small appliances and lamps; small televisions (no consoles) - Tools and toolboxes Material and old leather items are accepted for recycling purposes Offers thrift store voucher program to qualifying individuals