PRESS RELEASE
Hattiesburg, MS – Tuesday, December 1, 2020 – Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded United Way of Southeast Mississippi a $2,680 grant to support youth literacy initiatives. This local grant award is part of more than $4 million in grants awarded this fall to nearly 850 nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools across the 46 states that Dollar General serves.
“We are so grateful to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for awarding us this grant to help improve literacy skills among our local youth,” said Kari Lynn Besing, Director of Community Impact at United Way of Southeast Mississippi. “We know the Foundation understands the value of education and how it not only translates into success for the individual but for the community as a whole. This grant enables us to put the money where our mission is – helping to create better education opportunities for those in our community.”
The funds were used to purchase new computer equipment for Aldersgate Mission, a partner agency of United Way of Southeast Mississippi. Aldersgate Mission works with local students through the COMPASS Edgenuity Reading Program, boasting improved reading scores for every child. Students who participate in this program have a 100 percent passing rate on the third-grade reading gate in recent years, allowing them to progress and find success in school.
“This year, many teachers, libraries and literacy organizations are facing new challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s chief executive officer and Dollar General Literacy Foundation board member. “Despite the unprecedented obstacles, we admire the tremendous efforts and commitments from educators as they work to provide students with the tools they need to develop their literacy skills. We hope these funds will help support their plans to advance learning and deliver quality instruction in our hometown communities.”
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $186 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 12 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education.
About United Way of Southeast Mississippi
United Way of Southeast Mississippi is a local nonprofit organization that strives to make a positive impact in Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Perry counties. By providing funds to partnering agencies, United Way addresses community issues in the impact areas of education, financial stability, health and support services. For more information about United Way of Southeast Mississippi or to learn more about supporting United Way’s work, visit www.unitedwaysems.org or call 601-545-7141.
About the Dollar General Literacy Foundation
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 $186 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 12 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.
About Dollar General Corporation
Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for more than 80 years through its mission of Serving Others. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood locations. Dollar General operated 16,720 stores in 46 states as of July 31, 2020. In addition to high-quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America's most-trusted manufacturers such as Clorox, Energizer, Procter & Gamble, Hanes, Coca-Cola, Mars, Unilever, Nestle, Kimberly-Clark, Kellogg's, General Mills, and PepsiCo. Learn more about Dollar General at www.dollargeneral.com.