Dollar General announces $6.4 million donation to support literacy

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General has awarded grants to more than 593 nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools through the chain's literacy foundation.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded grants to schools and organizations in communities across the 39 states served by Dollar General. The funding, valued at more than $6.4 million, supports such programs as adult literacy, GED preparation and English language acquisition. Dollar General said more than 410,300 people are expected to benefit from literacy services provided by the grants.

"Literacy is the key for opening doors to new opportunities and better lives," Dollar General chairman and CEO Rick Dreiling said. "We are pleased to help local organizations enhance and expand their literacy programs to make education more accessible to everyone."