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Today, more than 12,000 students in need had the opportunity to visit and shop Target stores for school supplies, clothing and other must-have necessities just in time for back-to-school. The Target School Spree helps kids, selected by The Salvation Army, from across the country gear up for the 2011 academic year. Each child received an $80 Target GiftCard to purchase much-needed school supplies.
“Education is at the heart of Target’s giving and the Target School Spree is one way that we help kids learn and schools teach, paving a path to graduation,” said Laysha Ward, President, Community Relations, Target. “By partnering with The Salvation Army, Target is giving kids in-need the tools necessary to show up to school ready to learn and succeed.”
As part the Target School Spree, Target awarded all 40 of The Salvation Army Divisions nationwide a total of $1 million worth of Target GiftCards and in-kind donations for the shopping sprees. Recipients for the gift card spree were identified from the hundreds of youth programs the Army operates across the country. Each $80 Target GiftCard will provide a child with the necessary supplies to go back to school in the fall. Nearly 500 Target stores participated in the one-day Target School Spree event across the country.
“Every year, thousands of students in all grades attend school without the right supplies – pencils, paper, notebooks and clothing. Target and The Salvation Army are working together to change that by providing educational opportunities to students in need throughout the country,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army.
See more photos from this event on The Salvation Army’s national blog.
