ROCKINGHAM — The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded L.J. Bell Elementary a $4,000 grant to support its youth literacy program. This local grant is a part of more than $4 million recently awarded to nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools in Dollar General’s hometown communities across the country to help extend a brighter future for K-12 students.
Principal Meredith Norwood stated, “Our library has gone through a huge transformation in the last year, and we are so appreciative of businesses and foundations, such as the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, for their commitment and support to our students and school by funding new books for our library.”
L.J. Bell Media Specialist Kim Brown, added, “Dollar General Literacy Foundation helps us not only keep up with the constantly evolving times through new nonfiction books, but encourages and motivates our students to read when they are introduced to updated books that pique their interest.”
“We understand investing in youth literacy means investing in the future of students and our collective communities,” shared Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “Through these grants, we hope to enhance the programs’ efforts to foster students’ critical thinking skills, creativity and confidence so they can unlock their potential and achieve their dreams.”
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations that increase access to educational programming, stimulate and enable innovation in the delivery of educational instruction and inspire a love of reading.
Each year, DGLF awards funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center to support adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs. The Foundation also offers a student referral program for individuals interested in learning how to read, speak English, or prepare for the high school equivalency exam.
Referrals to a local organization that provides free literacy services are available online here or through referral cards found in the Learn to Read brochures that are available at the cash register of every Dollar General store.
A comprehensive list of grant recipients may be found online at www.dgliteracy.org
