The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded Lexington-Richland School District Five a $3,000 grant to support summer literacy.
The Dollar General Grant will provide books for students who attend Summer Reading Camp in School District Five to add to their home libraries. The district will provide books that are on appropriate reading levels and that are high-interest to elementary students.
“Having books in the home is proven to positively benefit children in a myriad of ways,” said School District Five Director of Elementary Education Tina McCaskill. “A long-term study found that the presence of a home library increases children’s academic success, vocabulary development, attention and job attainment. I am thankful for this opportunity and the impact it will have on our early learners!”
The funds are part of nearly $8.2 million awarded throughout the 47 states in which Dollar General operates to support adult, family and summer literacy programs.
“Today’s announcement further demonstrates our commitment to serving teachers and students across the nation,” said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “The Dollar General Literacy Foundation believes everyone should have access to programs that help strengthen reading and build critical literacy skills, and teachers should have the tools needed for quality classroom instruction. We are proud to offer grants to schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations that help increase access to education and inspire innovation, helping to build brighter futures for all families.”
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $216 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 15.4 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. Each year, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides financial support to schools, nonprofit organizations and libraries within a 15-mile radius of Dollar General stores and distribution centers. To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation or apply for a literacy grant, visit www.dgliteracy.org.
