The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce is encouraging community members to support its Albuquerque Reads literacy program through everyday shopping at Smith’s, Walmart, and Target. The initiative aims to provide more than 200 students in first-grade and kindergarten classes at Atrisco, Bel-Air, and Whittier elementary schools with one-on-one reading instruction from over 150 volunteer tutors. Each student receives about 90 minutes of tutoring per week to help them achieve grade-level reading proficiency.
To further assist the program, the Chamber seeks donations for at least 20 take-home books per student as well as school supplies. Shoppers can contribute by participating in specific retailer programs.
Smith’s offers an “Inspiring Donations” program where customers can donate 0.5% of their eligible spending to local organizations by linking their Shopper’s Card to Career Guidance Institute (CGI) – Albuquerque Reads through a digital account. All transactions made with the linked card will benefit the organization without extra cost to shoppers.
At Walmart, two options are available for supporting Albuquerque Reads. The Chamber is collaborating with Walmart on its RoundUp program, which allows customers to round up their online or app purchases at checkout and donate the change to Albuquerque Reads when the feature becomes available. According to Walmart, some nonprofits have earned up to $500 monthly through this initiative. Additionally, a registry on Walmart.com enables shoppers to donate items such as early literacy books, activity books, school supplies, and gift cards directly to CGI – Albuquerque Reads.
Target also provides an opportunity for shoppers to support nonprofits via its Target Circle program. Each quarter, New Mexico-based nonprofits are selected for potential donations based on shopper votes; supporters are encouraged to watch for CGI's inclusion in future cycles.
The Chamber expressed gratitude toward sponsors, tutors, and supporters: "And big thank you goes out to all our sponsors, tutors and supporters who make this program possible – we could not do it without you all!"
Community members interested in volunteering as tutors or partnering with similar fundraising programs are invited by the Chamber: "If your company has a similar program...we’d love to partner with you to give the gift of reading to more children in Albuquerque Public Schools!"
For those wishing to join as tutors or learn more about supporting Albuquerque Reads alongside APS and current volunteers: "Albuquerque Reads always needs tutors – if you’d like to join the Chamber, APS and our great team of volunteer tutors...please call, email or click using the program information at left!"
