AUBURN, Ala. – The Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) recently awarded the Auburn Public Library a $4,000 grant to support its youth literacy program. This local grant is a part of more than $3.5 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.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for supporting our Third Grade Reading Dragons program,” said Auburn Engagement and Outreach Librarian Ashley J. Brown. “This grant will allow us to provide a book for every third grader in Auburn City Schools this spring. Third grade is a pivotal year for reading development. With this support, we’re excited to empower young readers in our community and help them build the confidence and skills they need to become lifelong learners.”

“As the immense need for accessible educational materials and resources for our country’s youth continues, we are proud to provide vital support to local literacy programs,” shared Dollar General Literacy Foundation Executive Director Denine Torr. “The Dollar General Literacy Foundation believes every investment in the education of a young student is an investment in a brighter future. We are grateful to the local schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations that are serving students and helping them thrive.

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 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 dgliteracy.org