By CAROLINE BECK, Alabama Daily News
The Alabama Grocers Education Foundation has rewarded more than $57,000 in scholarships to employees or children of employees from Alabama Grocers Association member companies for the 2018-2019 academic year. Out of 145 applicants for the scholarship, 60 Alabama students were awarded scholarships up to $1,000.
The AGA is a state trade association that has been representing the grocery retail industry in Alabama since 1990. The AGA lobbies for legislation in the federal, state and local levels that will improve the food industry in Alabama.
The AGEF has been handing out these scholarships to deserving students since 1992 and has handed out thousands of scholarships that help students succeed.
“The Alabama Grocers Foundation has been able to award more than $1.2 million in scholarships to date,” said Ellie Smotherman Taylor, President, Alabama Grocers Association. “The members of our association are excited to be supporting higher education efforts of Alabama’s students.”
These scholarships are to help students of Alabama in their pursuits of higher education and to ultimately grow and develop the future leaders of Alabama and the future workforce of Alabama.
Scholarships are awarded by an impartial committee of educators and are based on community involvement and academic achievements. Funds are raised from three annual golf events, a silent auction and the generosity of supporters, members and friends of the Alabama Grocers Association.
“Our association members and other supporters of the Alabama Grocers Association make these scholarships possible,” said Bob Crawford, Chairman, Board of Trustees, AGEF. “The scholarships truly impact young student’s lives for the better.”
The AGA says they are the voice of the industry in Alabama with more than 135 retail members operating, 1,000 stores nationwide, as well as over 225 manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers and other members.
The food retail industry in Alabama provides over 69,000 jobs with over $2.2 billion in annual wages paid. Grocers pay over $1.2 billion in state taxes and have a total economic impact on the state’s economy of over $12 billion dollars.
The scholarships reach a wide range of students going all across the state. Children of full time employees will receive a $1,000 grant while half-time employees who are full time students will receive a grant of $750.
It’s scholarships like these that help to improve Alabama’s students and it’s economy by helping to improve the future leaders of Alabama’s businesses.