Menzies supports literacy drive with distribution of free magazines

Menzies Distribution has again joined forces with five leading magazine publishers and its supply chain partners to provide surplus magazines to children via the National Literacy Trust, who works with schools and communities in disadvantaged areas to give children the literacy skills to succeed in life.

Rather than unsold magazines being returned for recycling, suitable titles are instead collected and redistributed by Menzies to eight of the Trust’s hubs across the country, from Hastings to Dundee and Blackpool to Scarborough.

The publishers provide consent for their unsold magazines to be collected and distributed. They are then shared by the National Literacy Trust via schools, community bookcases, Christmas gifting campaigns, Trussell Trust foodbanks and its partner organisations to children from socio-economically disadvantaged areas, including Ukrainian children currently living in the UK following Russia’s invasion of their country.

Menzies first became involved in this initiative in 2021. In 2022 Menzies distributed around 15,000 magazines to the Trust via its Sheffield Sortation Centre. In 2023 it plans to deliver over 60,000.

Grant Jordan, Managing Director at Menzies Distribution Newstrade said:

“We’re delighted to support this initiative to get reading materials to children who otherwise wouldn’t be able to enjoy them. Literacy is a key life skill, opening up opportunities and supporting social mobility. It’s fantastic that the whole of the magazine supply chain has once again come together to make this happen. We’re proud to be involved and hope that the success of this important programme continues to build in the years to come.”