Poplar Springs Elementary Celebrates New Book Vending Machine with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | August 08, 2025
MERIDIAN, MS – Poplar Springs Elementary School celebrated a major milestone in promoting literacy and positive behavior with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its brand-new book vending machine today, Friday, August 8, 2025.
The event brought together students, staff, families, and community members to witness the unveiling of the machine, which is designed to make reading more exciting and accessible for all students. The initiative rewards students with special tokens for meeting their Accelerated Reading goals, which they can use to select a book from the vending machine.
“This vending machine represents more than just books—it represents opportunity, motivation, and the joy of learning,” said Yolanda Davis, Poplar Springs Elementary Principal. “We are so thankful to First Mississippi Federal Credit Union for their support and for giving our students another way to engage with reading and celebrate their accomplishments.”
First Mississippi Federal Credit Union partnered with the school to make the dream of the book vending machine a reality.
“We teach financial literacy and we’re all about trying to make our members' lives better by helping them control and learn about their own money,” said Jerome Trahan, Director of Marketing for First Mississippi Federal Credit Union. “Reading and financial literacy are intrinsically connected, and this book vending machine, while making it fun, provides a way to get these books in the hands of students and give them that foundation.”
The addition of the book vending machine is part of Poplar Springs Elementary’s broader effort to support a strong reading culture and recognize student success in meaningful ways.
“Reading opens so many windows and opportunities for children,” said Bridgette Purdy, Poplar Springs Elementary Librarian. “We are very excited about this vending machine instilling that love for reading in our students and motivating them to read more.”
The school extends its gratitude to all who attended and supported the event, and looks forward to seeing the impact this initiative will have on students throughout the year.
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