Any organization that promotes literacy in the region can apply to the Area Wide United Way for grants given through the Youth Education Literacy and Learning program.

According to Dorothy Klein, executive director of the local United Way chapter, grants are given to programs of all sizes, depending on the needs of those agencies. Grants range from $100 to $2,000.

"Some small organizations need to purchase just a few books, while libraries may have larger needs," Klein said.

Last year six grants were given out. The recipients included the Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City public libraries, Easter Seals and the Cape Girardeau Civic Center. Among the programs to benefit were the Civic Center's Rainbow Village and the Reading is Fundamental program at the libraries.

YELL typically raises between $10,000 to 15,000 each year. Half of the funds go to the United Way and the other half goes to the Southeast Missourian's Newspapers in Education program.

After YELL Day is completed, applications for grants will be found in the Southeast Missourian. Information required includes whether the program seeking funds is ongoing or newly created; how it will deal with literacy efforts; how much money it requires; the goals of the program; and how many people it is intended to reach.