By Mort Guiney, Secretary, MagLiteracy Board of Directors
“From the start, MagLiteracy was founded on a simple but powerful idea: Everyone deserves the chance to experience the wonder and possibility that come with reading a favorite magazine. But turning this idea into reality is only possible thanks to a robust logistics pipeline — one that allows magazines, generously donated by publishers and consumers, to flow from where they are to our Magazine Literacy Bank, and then out to literacy programs and schools on their journey into the hands, homes and hearts of eager readers.
Building and filling this literacy pipeline is an enormous logistics lift that is only achievable with the commitment, investment and partnership of outstanding companies who believe in our mission. This article spotlights and celebrates key partners whose support makes everything we do possible. Their efforts keep literacy flowing to children, families, teachers, mentors, veterans, older adults and other readers who need it most.”
— John Mennell, Founder, MagLiteracy
Quad: Moving Mountains — And Millions of Magazines
Quad’s logistics prowess and publishing network are the engine behind our pipeline to eager readers.
Quad, a global commercial printing and full-service marketing and logistics powerhouse has been enormously helpful for over 10 years moving magazines for MagLiteracy, making large financial gifts and encouraging publishers to donate their magazines to the Magazine Literacy Bank, such as the 41 pallets of National Geographic magazines we received recently.
“As a values-driven organization founded in the printing space, Quad is proud to partner with MagLiteracy. For more than a decade, Quad and the Quadracci family have provided support through financial donations and charitable services,” said Quad President and CEO Joel Quadracci. “Using Quad’s logistics platform, we have transported more than a million magazines to the organization’s various literacy banks. We have also connected MagLiteracy with multiple publications for which we print. Their print donations have helped fuel the organization’s national literacy marketplace, and I hope other magazines take inspiration from their actions. Literacy is a core skill that leads to a strong education and endless possibilities, and MagLiteracy is helping open doors for children and families living below the poverty line.”
Urban Land Interests: Planting the Seeds for National Impact
This Madison, Wisconsin, real estate partner helped MagLiteracy grow from local roots to a national force for good.
MagLiteracy’s operations in Madison, Wisconsin, have been made possible with the generous support of Urban Land Interests (ULI), real estate developers who have provided prime office and operating space in the heart Wisconsin’s capitol city for over 10 years. Mennell says that our partnership with ULI “was really the seed that got us going” as a national organization with reach extending far beyond our home territory in a state housing a critical mass of the magazine publishing and operations supply chain. Mark Binkowski has been our contact and source of support at ULI.
“For the past 50 years, Urban Land Interests has been driven by our vision to create and sustain exceptional buildings and tenant relationships that strengthen our communities,” says Binkowski, a shareholder at ULI. “Our partnership with MagLiteracy is a direct reflection of that vision. ULI is honored to be able to help support MagLiteracy to achieve its mission of promoting literacy, an important goal in helping strengthen our community.”
Atrium Corporation: The Warehouse That Made a Global Literacy Movement Possible
This company’s generosity gave MagLiteracy the physical foundation to reach millions of new readers worldwide.
We have had game-changing access to warehouse space and heavy logistics support from Atrium Corp. in Johnstown, Ohio, for over five years, enabling MagLiteracy to receive, process and deliver hundreds of thousands of magazines every year, across the United States and around the world. Our team of volunteers spends hours every month at the warehouse sorting, labeling and delivering the recycled magazines we receive through the kindness of our many donors, including publishers and consumers.
Mennell has worked with Atrium manager Joe Reiber and his expert team for many years.
“I cannot overstate how consequential Joe’s support has been from the moment we met,” said Mennell. “He has been there above and beyond at every turn, allowing and enabling us to demonstrate the enormous potential and what’s possible to achieve out of the Magazine Literacy Bank.”
Reiber himself tells us that MagLiteracy “is a rewarding reminder for us of the good that exists in this world.”
“We view the opportunity to support as a means of using logistics not for profit but for supporting our community in a positive way,” Reiber said. “The relationship with MagLiteracy provides our company with valuable perspective and a healthy understanding that through our efforts there are companies making a difference in this world that go well beyond the mighty dollar.”
Millcraft: Driving Literacy Forward — One Pallet, One Community at a Time
Millcraft’s fleet and regional network help move vital magazine supplies across Ohio and beyond, connecting tens of thousands of children and families with the power of reading.
Another wonderful source of support has been Millcraft. Originally known as The Millcraft Paper Co., it was founded in 1920 in Cleveland, Ohio, by Pauline and Harold Keil. The company established itself as a reliable hometown paper merchant, emphasizing customer relationships and family values.
“Millcraft has been proud to support MagLiteracy from the outset!” said Millcraft President Greg Lovensheimer.
“Literacy is not just a skillset but is an absolutely fundamental societal building block! It builds strong, sustainable communities of critical thinkers that are equipped to deal with tomorrow’s problems. As individuals elevate their reading and understanding, they can apply their learnings from the past and leverage that learning for growth and future success! Studies show that higher literacy rates equate to faster economic growth, improved health outcomes and reduced inequality. Basic literacy must be a given in the U.S. in 2025, as it creates an opportunity for lifelong learning that improves the lives of everyone, not just the at-risk population!”
We will continue to highlight these and other companies who devote time, resources and funding in order to “share the literacy love.” They believe in our mission, for which we are profoundly grateful. We could not continue without their steadfast, generous support.
Mort Guiney is a volunteer and secretary of the MagLiteracy Board of Directors.