If you have any books lying around and are looking for a good cause to donate them to, Women Empowerment Inc. is having their third annual book drive throughout the month of September.

This book drive will benefit the Young and little women book clubs and the little free library project.

 The Young and little women book club is Women’s empowerment inc.  local after school program that puts books in the hands young girls who need them the most. Book club members are matched with mentors within a structured relationship and the book club has nearly 400 members.

The little free library project was introduced in the hopes of reintroducing the habit of reading in Topeka communities and is sponsored by the Women Empowerment Inc. and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka.  The little free libraries are located in neighborhoods all over town.

September is national literacy month and this is the first year that book drive is citywide. The drive is sponsored by several Topeka businesses such as Hills Pet Nutrition, American Family Insurance, Kansas Avenue Market and Washburn.

What started off in 2010 as a book club between two friends has grown into a organization dedicated to the empowerment of women of all ages through programs such as book clubs and leadership summits as well as providing scholarships  and education surrounding health diets, teen pregnancy and HIV.

Women’s Empowerment Inc. is 100 percent volunteer based and pride themselves in looking for ways to empower the city of Topeka and the female youth.

“We chose a book drive because books are easily accessible and many households have books they don’t need or are looking to give away,” says Women Empowerment executive director Sheyvette Dinkens.

American Family Insurance agent Mashayla Hibler is on the board of Women’s Empowerment Inc. and believes that the book drive is a simple way to be involved with the community. “We all have books at our fingertips.”

If you are interested in donating some new and gently used children and adult books you can visit Kansas Avenue Market the entire month of September. They are open every Saturday from 10-3 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 10-5:30 pm

If you would like to volunteer for Women’s Empowerment Inc. Contact Sheyvette Dinkins at (785) 383 7084