Goodlettsville, Tennessee-based Dollar General has announced ongoing support for Jacksonville, Florida, following a shooting Aug. 26 that left four people, including the gunman, dead at one of its stores in the city’s New Town area.
The company’s support includes initial resource commitments, as well as plans to continue evaluating how it can best support employees, the victims’ families and the community.
In addition to counseling resources and financial support for the families, Dollar General has pledged more than $2.5 million to efforts and organizations focused on healing and hope. The company also is working toward extending counseling to the community.
Two nonprofits will receive immediate support, including a $500,000 donation to the First Coast Relief Fund that will be used to help the community as it works to recover from this tragedy.
The company also has pledged a matching donation of up to $1 million to its Employee Assistance Foundation, which provides assistance to workers in specified times of need.
An additional $1 million will go to support nonprofit and community organizations. To determine how best the funding can be used, the company will hold conversations with the groups, civic and business leaders, employees and neighbors.
“The entire DG family continues to mourn the senseless, hate-driven loss of life,” said Jeff Owen, Dollar General’s CEO.
“Our focus continues to be on supporting the victims’ families, our employees and their loved ones, alongside how we can best support and stand with the greater Jacksonville community. The actions we are taking are in an effort to begin to heal together.”
By late September or early October, Dollar General plans to reopen a remodeled store in the community. In addition, it is donating $50,000 to local area food banks to help address food insecurity issues.
Read more corporate chain store news from The Shelby Report.
