United Way of the Flint Hills receives $3,000 literacy grant

Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded United Way of the Flint Hills a $3,000 grant to support summer literacy programming.

The funds are part of a record-setting, single-day total of nearly $16 million in grants awarded nationwide to support adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states where Dollar General operates. According to the foundation, the total surpassed its previous record of more than $13.2 million awarded in May 2025.

"Promoting early childhood and youth literacy is something very important to United Way of the Flint Hills. Summer Climbin' is just one of the programs that supports this, serving hundreds of youth in our community every summer," Community Impact Manager Maddie Craig said.

United Way of the Flint Hills operates three programs focused on early childhood and youth literacy: Summer Climbin', Read To Your Bunny and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

Summer Climbin' is designed to combat summer learning loss by providing children with access to free books throughout the summer months. The program visits summer meal sites and distributes books to children younger than 18.

According to United Way, the grant funding will allow the organization to offer more books in both English and Spanish and potentially expand to additional community summer meal sites.

"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," Dollar General Literacy Foundation Executive Director Denine Torr said. "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."

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations that increase access to educational programming and literacy services. Each year, the foundation awards funding to nonprofit organizations, schools and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center.

The foundation also plans to launch its seventh annual Yellow Glasses Project campaign on July 20, with customers able to purchase yellow sunglasses at Dollar General stores for $2 to benefit the literacy foundation.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 9:43 AM.