Here for What Matters During National Library Week
Apr 09, 2024
Rooted in the history of Dollar General’s founders, the Company remains an ardent supporter of literacy and education through the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s (DGLF) and corporate initiatives to help increase access to quality education programs and resources to build brighter futures for students.
To celebrate National Library Week on April 7-13, 2024, the Company is highlighting recent examples of how Dollar General and the DGLF are supporting local libraries in its hometown communities:
La Plata, Missouri: Reading Revolution Grant Recipient
In December 2023, La Plata Elementary School in La Plata, Missouri suffered significant fire damage causing classes to be temporarily relocated in a local church for two months. After learning the impact that the damage had on students’ educations, DG donated a $50,000 Reading Revolution literacy grant in February 2024 to help the library’s rebuild.
“I was stunned honestly,” La Plata Elementary School Principal Cheree Ball said. “La Plata's a great community, and the school is a large part of the community, so getting the school back to where we can get into our regular classrooms is huge for this area.”
Since its inception in 2013, Dollar General’s Reading Revolution program has awarded more than $4.7 million to more than 130 schools. The funds may be used to purchase books, technology programs, computers and other educational tools.
Over the last five years, Dollar General and the DGLF have donated more than $1.1 million to support Missouri literacy initiatives.
Como-Pickton, Texas: Beyond Words Grant Recipient
To support Como-Pickton Elementary School’s library recovery following a June 2023 tornado, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation donated $15,000 through its Beyond Words grant program.
"I am so thankful to the Beyond Words grant provided by Dollar General. Our small school was devastated by a tornado last summer and the library and its contents were badly damaged," shared Kay Garrett, Como-Pickton Elementary School Librarian. "Thanks to the Beyond Words Grant we were able to replace much of the collection and even purchased some new books for the students to enjoy. Our library is back to being the center of the school and I am forever grateful."
Since 2006, the Beyond Words grant program has been a beacon of hope for school libraries destroyed or severely impacted by natural disasters. During the last 18 years, Beyond Words has awarded more than $2.9 million in grants, impacting nearly 123,000 students in 32 states. Public school libraries within 15 miles of a DG store or distribution center are eligible to apply for a Beyond Words grant and can learn more here.
EL Paso, Texas: Reading Revolution Grant Recipients
In February 2023, Dollar General surprised two educational organizations in El Paso, Texas with a combined $50,000 grant from the Company’s Reading Revolution program. Ysleta Community Adult Learning Center and El Paso Independent School District (ISD) San Jacinto Learning Center each received $25,000 to enhance their literacy programs.
"[Since receiving the grant], we have further utilized our funds to enrich our digital library with materials that help students improve their reading comprehension and be successful on the GED exam. We have also invested in digital readings that focus on themes related to careers in healthcare and transportation and logistics,” shared Cindy Sizemore, Ysleta Adult Learning Center’s Director.
Ysleta instructional coach Yoliett Puga added, "A substantial portion of the DG funds have been directed towards enriching our library resources. We have procured a diverse range of books spanning various genres and reading levels, ensuring that our students have ample opportunities to engage with literature that resonates with their interests and fosters a love for reading."
Over the last five years, the Company and the DGLF have donated more than $3.5 million to support educational programs in the Lone Star state.
Olla, Louisiana: Youth Literacy Grant Recipient
Annually, the DGLF awards grants to support adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs within 15 miles of a DG store or distribution center. During the last 30 years, the DGLF has supported more than 23,000 organizations including Olla-Standard Elementary School in Olla, Louisiana that has received a total of $10,500 in youth literacy grants since 2020.
“Olla-Standard Elementary is forever grateful to Dollar General for being chosen as a recipient for the youth literacy grant several times,” shared Carmon Cook, Olla Elementary School librarian. “Our students have become more confident readers, which will help them become more successful in life. Thanks so much for your generosity that helps our students continuously find a deep, everlasting love for reading. It is much appreciated and does not go unnoticed by our school.”
Dollar General and the DGLF have donated more than $1.2 million to support Louisiana schools, nonprofits and libraries over the past five years.
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The Dollar General Literacy Foundation believes everyone deserves an equal opportunity to receive a basic education, which is why it invests in literacy programs that help increase access, enhance the quality of instruction, and inspire and advance innovation. Since 1993, the Foundation has donated more than $238 million to schools, non-profit organizations and libraries across the country and impacted nearly 20 million individuals.
Eligible applicants can apply for the Foundation’s youth literacy grants until April 25, 2024 here.