Sumter Adult Education receives $8K grant from Dollar General Literacy Foundation

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded Sumter Adult Education a $8,000 grant to support adult literacy. The money contributes to a record setting, single-day total of nearly $16 million in grants nationwide - supporting adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states where Dollar General operates. The milestone surpasses the foundation's previous record of more than $13.2 million granted in May 2025.

The mission of Sumter County Adult Education is to provide quality lifelong learning opportunities to the adults of Sumter County.

Sumter County Adult Education is committed to "Opening doors of opportunities for the Sumter community" by providing comprehensive educational services that empower adult learners to achieve academic, workforce and personal goals. Programs include GED preparation, adult high school diploma completion, English Learner instruction, workplace readiness training, digital literacy instruction and career exploration services. The program serves adults from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, including individuals seeking to improve literacy skills, obtain employment, transition to postsecondary education and increase workforce opportunities.

Under the leadership of Dr. Vanessa Smith-Canty, Sumter County Adult Education is a recognized provider of adult education services dedicated to academic excellence, student persistence and workforce development. Through strong partnerships with community agencies, local businesses and educational institutions, the program continues to open doors for adult learners by equipping them with the skills necessary to become self-sufficient, productive members of the community.

This grant funding will directly benefit adult learners by expanding access to technology resources that support instruction, independent learning and digital skill development. These resources will help remove barriers to participation in hybrid and online learning environments while increasing student confidence, engagement and persistence. Students will have greater opportunities to complete GED preparation requirements, improve English language acquisition skills and strengthen the employability skills required in today's workforce. By opening doors to education, career advancement, postsecondary opportunities and lifelong learning, the program will continue to promote measurable skill gains, increased student retention and successful transitions into employment, technical training, military service or higher education.

"Since the foundation's inception in 1993, our focus has remained on making meaningful investments in students, teachers and the organizations that support literacy and learning at every stage of life," said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. "We are grateful for the impact teachers and educators make every day and are excited to have another record-setting year of helping expand literacy access for learners of all ages. These funds will help educators enhance their instruction and create opportunities that help empower students to reach their full potential."

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 money 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 at www.dgliteracy.org/program-locator or through referral cards found in the Learn to Read brochures that are available at the cash register of every Dollar General store.

The foundation plans to launch its seventh-annual The Yellow Glasses Project campaign on July 20, in which customers can purchase yellow sunglasses at Dollar General stores for $2 each to benefit the DGLF.

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 $292 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 25 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.