Dollar General, in partnership with supermodel and business leader Kathy Ireland, is making a significant investment in student literacy this week by donating $50,000 to Andrew Jackson Elementary School in Old Hickory, Tennessee. This donation is part of Dollar General’s ongoing Reading Revolution initiative, which aims to boost literacy among students across the United States.
During an event at the school, representatives from Dollar General presented a $50,000 grant that school officials can utilize flexibly to enhance literacy programs. The funds can be directed towards the purchase of new classroom and library books, technology and educational software that aids reading, computers or devices for students, and various literacy-related supplies. This latest grant continues a decade-long commitment from Dollar General, which has awarded over $5 million to 137 schools and literacy-focused nonprofits since the program’s inception in 2013.
Denine Torr, Dollar General’s vice president of corporate social responsibility, emphasized that the initiative is designed to enhance existing programs and inspire a lifelong love of reading among students. In addition to the grant, the school received hundreds of reading-themed gifts, including co-branded pillows and blankets from Ireland’s home collection, ki by kathy ireland®, as well as art supplies to encourage creativity tied to their reading projects.
Kathy Ireland, who serves as the Chief Creative Ambassador for Crayola, underscored the connection between literacy and creativity, expressing gratitude for the partners involved in transforming the reading spaces in classrooms. The donation not only provides essential resources but also aims to create inviting reading corners that encourage students to enjoy books.
This event aligns with Dollar General’s broader community engagement platform, Here For What Matters, which focuses on enhancing access to essentials in underserved communities, supporting employee education and career development, and strengthening local communities through philanthropy. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation, which has contributed over $275 million to literacy initiatives since its establishment, supports various programs aimed at improving reading proficiency among students of all ages.
The initiative at Andrew Jackson Elementary represents a growing trend of retailers engaging in literacy partnerships. As Dollar General continues to roll out its fall collection featuring Ireland’s home goods, analysts will be watching to see how these efforts influence customer loyalty and overall sales. For now, the immediate impact is felt in Old Hickory, where students are set to benefit from improved resources and an enriched learning environment, fostering an enthusiasm for reading that can last well beyond their school years.