Imagination Library Book Pallets Help Fund Higher Education for Appalachian Students
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has long been a beacon of literacy and learning, gifting more than 290 million books to children in five countries around the world. Each month in the USA alone, more than 3.2 million books make their way from the printing press to children’s mailboxes—inspiring a love of reading in young children and families everywhere.
But the impact doesn’t end when a child opens a book. Hidden in the logistics of delivering millions of books is an unexpected source of hope for students in Appalachia: the very pallets used to ship them.
A Second Life for Every Pallet
Behind every book’s journey is a network of dedicated partners, including Direct Mail Services (DMS), a Knoxville-based company that has worked with the Imagination Library since its earliest days in Sevier County. DMS carefully processes and ships millions of books each month, ensuring they reach children across the country on time and in perfect condition. Once those books are safely on their way, the pallets that carried them are no longer needed for mailing—but they’re far from done making a difference.
From Warehouse Floor to Scholarship Fund
Those 48 × 40-inch GMA pallets—North America’s most widely used and versatile size—are donated to Mission of Hope, a nonprofit serving rural Appalachian families with essential goods, resources, and educational support. Resold to grocery chains, manufacturers, and distribution centers for about $7–$12 each, the pallets generate thousands of dollars every month. Their standard size and ISPM 15 compliance make them highly valuable in the logistics industry, and every dollar from these sales goes directly into Mission of Hope’s scholarship program.
At the heart of Mission of Hope is the belief that education is the most powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. Since 2009, the organization has awarded scholarships to students in the Appalachian communities it serves—13 each year to graduating high school seniors, plus one annual scholarship each to students attending Alice Lloyd College and Lincoln Memorial University.
These scholarships aren’t just financial aid—they’re lifelines. Many recipients have overcome family hardships, economic challenges, and personal struggles that could have kept them from continuing their education. Scholarships can be used for 2-year, 4-year, trade, or vocational schools, and each student is paired with a Mission of Hope mentor who provides encouragement and guidance along the way. Nearly 100 students have graduated with the help of this program, creating a ripple effect that strengthens entire families and communities.
Making a Difference, One Pallet at a Time
The partnership between Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Direct Mail Services, and Mission of Hope shows how every part of a process—even something as ordinary as a shipping pallet—can become a force for good. From warehouse to classroom, the journey transforms simple materials into scholarships, opportunities, and futures once thought unreachable.
If you’d like to support Mission of Hope’s scholarship program, consider donating or volunteering. Every pallet sold—and every book mailed—turns another page in a story of dreaming, learning, and opportunity that will echo for generations to come.