Dollar General Literacy Foundation Gives Back To Orangeburg, S.C. With Literacy Grants Totaling $100,000

March 11, 2011

Twenty organizations to use funds to improve literacy and basic education

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. (BUSINESS WIRE), March 11, 2011 - The Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) awarded $100,000 in grants to 20 education and literacy-based organizations in Orangeburg, S.C.

“Our employees and neighbors in Orangeburg are the reason why we are here today,” said Rick Dreiling, chairman and CEO. “Their generosity is a gift to all of us, and we are honored to share it with the community.”

In 2010, customers of the company’s four Orangeburg stores collectively donated more than $59,000 to the DGLF by contributing spare change to cash cubes located at the checkouts of each store. The store located at 1730 Russell Street was the No. 1 fundraising store in the company in 2010.

“Dollar General is committed to serving others by improving the lives of our customers and our neighbors,” said Kathleen Guion, division president of store operations and store development. “Orangeburg has helped empower others in the community through the gift of literacy. We are proud to help our Orangeburg neighbors achieve their dreams of a brighter future by supporting these organizations.”

To recognize employees’ efforts and the community’s generosity, the DGLF awarded $100,000 in grants today to 17 schools and three nonprofit organizations. The schools receiving individual checks of $5,000 are: Brookdale Elementary School, Marshall Elementary School, Mellichamp Elementary School, Sheridan Elementary School, Whittaker Elementary School, Robert E. Howard Middle School, William J. Clark Middle School, Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, Nelson C. Nix Education Center, The Technology Center, Edisto Elementary School, Edisto Primary School, Branchville Lockett Elementary School, Carver-Edisto Middle School, Branchville/Lockett High School, Edisto High School and Rivelon Elementary. Literacy-based organizations Orangeburg County Adult Literacy Council, Orangeburg/Calhoun Adult Education and the Orangeburg County Library also received $5,000 checks.

The DGLF supports schools, libraries and literacy-based nonprofit organizations throughout Dollar General’s 35-state market. The foundation is currently accepting applications for back-to-school literacy grants and youth literacy grants at www.dgliteracy.org.

About Dollar General

Dollar General is a leading discount retailer with more than 9,200 neighborhood stores in 35 states. Dollar General stores provide convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic items such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices. The company has a longstanding tradition of supporting literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $52 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 2.9 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about Dollar General, visit www.dollargeneral.com.