Kern County schools receive thousands of dollars in grants from Dollar General to fight illiteracy

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is awarding thousands of dollars in grants to California schools to benefit literacy including two schools in Kern County.

Sierra Vista Elementary School in Arvin is set to receive $3,000 while Bessie Owens Primary School in Bakersfield will get $1,500.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation announced the award of more than $175,000 for youth literacy grants in California that work to help students and educators reach their literacy goals.

The funds are aimed at youth literacy programs within a 20-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center. The grants awarded to California organizations are expected to impact more than 43,000 students.