Birmingham, Ala. — The Alabama Grocers Education Foundation (AGEF) recently awarded $37,500 in scholarships to employees or children of employees from Alabama Grocers Association (AGA) member companies for the 2021/2022 academic year. These included 22 AGEF funded scholarships, 11 Piggyback Scholarships and four Endowed Scholarships for a total of 37 scholarships awarded.
Alabama scholarship recipients include:
Kylie Lovett, Haleyville
Johnathan Mitchell, Albertville
Dominique Johnson, Attala
Carl (Drew) Elliott IV, Birmingham
Rachel Moore, Birmingham
Sophia Ragusa, Birmingham
Luke Adams, Birmingham
Olivia Davis, Calera
Audrey Duboise, Double Springs
Dallas Inabinett, Dozier
Joshua Baine, Fort Payne
DeMarcus Sweet, Goodwater
Megan Jones, Greenville
Anna Anderson, Hazel Green
Coleman Poole, Hoover
Tyler Waugh, Hoover
Lindsay Milam, Horton
Wesley Wright, Jacksonville
Jacob Woder, Jasper
Zachary Woder, Jasper
Jacob Burnett, Kimberly
John Tranum, Luverne
Hannah Parker, Montgomery
Katelyn Ary, Odenville
Dawson Wright, Red Bay
Jalen Vinson, Red Bay
Erica Suter, Scottsboro
Abigail Garrett, Troy
Jamiah Ellis, Union Springs
Lila Blackburn, Vina
Michael Amaya-Daniel, Woodland
“To date, the Alabama Grocers Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 million in scholarships,” said Ellie Smotherman Taylor, president, Alabama Grocers Association. “Our association is thrilled to be supporting higher education efforts of Alabama’s youth and can think of no better investment.”
The Alabama Grocers Education Foundation recognizes and aids students who are related to Alabama’s food industry by virtue of their parent’s employment or their own part-time employment by firms which are members of the Alabama Grocers Association. The scholarship program demonstrates the association’s interest in the growth and development of the leaders of tomorrow by providing financial assistance to deserving students. This year the Foundation received more than 100 applications.
“We are thankful to our members and other supporters of the Alabama Grocers Association,” said Bob Crawford, United Johnson Brothers, chairman, Board of Trustees, AGEF. “Over the years, their donations have made these scholarships possible, impacting the lives of hundreds of young people.”
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.
About the Alabama Grocers Association: The Alabama Grocers Association is a state trade association representing the grocery retail industry since 1990. With more than 135 retail members operating over 850 stores statewide, as well as over 225 manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers and other members, the AGA is the voice of the industry in the state of Alabama. The food retail industry in Alabama provides over 70,000 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. For more information, go to www.alabamagrocers.org.
