The Rite Aid Foundation announced today a $5,000 grant to AbilityFirst, a nonprofit dedicated to providing creative, nurturing environments for children with disabilities to develop key life skills and build confidence. The funding provided by the Rite Aid Foundation will be used to help offset the cost for children to attend the programs offered.

“The Rite Aid Foundation is committed to improving the health and well-being of those we serve each day, especially when it comes to children,” said Gayle Rife, manager of The Rite Aid Foundation. “The Rite Aid Foundation is proud to provide funding for programs that help children with disabilies improve life and social skills, build confidence and develop independence.”

With 25 locations across Southern California, AbilityFirst provides programs and services to help children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities reach their full potential throughout their lives. They offer a broad range of employment, recreational and socialization programs and operate 12 accessible residential housing complexes. For more information on AbilityFirst, visit www.abilityfirst.org.

“AbilityFirst is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a stable and nurturing environment to children with disabilities,” said Lori Gangemi, president and chief executive officer of AbilityFirst. “Thanks to the generosity of the Rite Aid Foundation, we are able to continue striving towards our goal of helping our participants grow and develop in all aspects of life.”

Rite aid operates one ice cream plant, one distribution center and 142 stores in Los Angeles County, the area served by AbilityFirst.

The Rite Aid Foundation, founded in July 2001, is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to helping children’s health and well-being. Since its inception, The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $17 million to more than 1,300 organizations nationwide. For more information on The Rite Aid Foundation, visit www.riteaid.com.

Rite Aid Corporation is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with nearly 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2014 annual revenues of $25.5 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s website at www.riteaid.com.