Food City officials on Monday said the grocer plans to turn over more than $66,700 to Chattanooga area schools as part of a program that supports education throughout its market area.
Daryl Massey, Food City's district manager, said that schools in the Chattanooga area and in North Georgia were among 400 within the companywide footprint to sign up for the School Bucks program.
"The good thing is that it's getting participants," he said at the St. Elmo supermarket where checks were handed out to about 30 schools, which represented some of the local program participants.
Allison Barham, Chattanooga Christian School's elementary school principal, said the money it receives will go to the parent-teacher organization. The funds could be used to support a new playground, she said.
"Every dollar helps," Barham said.
Tonya Turman, representing Orchard Knob Middle, said the school has "reading zones" and the funds could buy books.
"It will be something to do with students," she said.
Etienne Easley, a family partnership specialist at Orchard Knob Elementary School, said the money may go into a new art class or a STEM lab.
Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer, said in a statement that the Food City School Bucks Program "has provided much-needed support for thousands of schools throughout our market area."
Shoppers link their Food City ValuCard to their school of choice online. Area students also receive barcoded school ID's to provide to friends and family. When scanned at checkout, the barcode designates the school to credit with purchases.
For every $1 people spend, they receive 1 point for their schools.