Target Provides More Than $18 Million in Education Stimulus
Since the Start of 2009 Schools and Educators Nationwide Receive Dollars Through Target Education Initiatives
MINNEAPOLIS, May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, thousands of schools have taken steps towards lessening their budget gaps as a result of Target's commitment to help enrich the education of America's youth. Through its signature education programs, Take Charge of Education(R) and Target Field Trip Grants, Target has provided more than $18 million to schools across the country for the funding of both in and outside classroom learning since January 2009.
"The U.S. education system is at a crossroads and schools across the country are in need of immediate support and leadership," said Laysha Ward, president, community relations, Target. "Enhancing educational opportunities for our country's children is a top priority at Target and we understand that schools are facing perhaps the most challenging time financially in recent history. Our programs, like Take Charge of Education and Target Field Trip Grants, help make a difference in our communities by investing in the future of our children."
Target recognizes there are obstacles standing in the way of providing students with the education they deserve due to limited resources and increased budget cuts. With the goal of reaching children of all ages through a variety of programs, Target's education initiatives help support the unmet needs of K-12 teachers and schools and include such programs as:
Take Charge of Education provided $14.7 million in undesignated funds to schools in March for its twice-yearly payout, which can be used for whatever schools need most--from books and school supplies to classroom technology, artist-in-residence programs and extracurricular activities. The program, which is in its 12th year, has donated more than$260 million to more than 75 percent of K-12 schools nationwide since its inception.
Target Field Trip Grants program is making it possible for nearly 440,000 students to learn outside the classroom this spring through hands-on field trips at thousands of unique destinations. Four milliondollars was awarded to educators for 5,000 trips. Since the program's inception in 2006, Target has provided more than 740,000 students with field trip opportunities they didn't otherwise have.
Evalyn Leverling, a first grade teacher at Soulsbyville Elementary School in Soulsbyville, Calif., said, "We took 50 first graders to four local convalescent hospitals to share songs and poems with residents. The interaction brought smiles to not only the residents but the students and helped to cultivate an early appreciation for community service. The grant we received from Target eliminated the burden of charging families to cover the cost of the field trip and allowed the children to learn a valuable life lesson that went beyond the classroom curriculum."
Target's commitment to education extends beyond financial support by providing access to tangible tools and resources for those most in need. As a company, and in partnership with its own team members and organizations that advocate for our country's children, schools and teachers, Target makes education materials and supplies available across the country through programs including:
School Library Makeovers transform elementary school libraries across the country with the help of Target Volunteers and Target Property Development. In addition to light construction and new design elements, each of this year's 16 libraries will receive new furniture, shelves, fresh paint, computers and a selection of 2,000 new books. Also, more than 1,700$500 book awards will be granted to local schools by every Target store and Distribution Center nationwide.
Letters about Literature isa national reading and writing contest which invites students in grades 4-12 to write a letter to an author, past or present, who has inspired them or altered their view of the world or themselves. The program encourages young readers to explore their thoughts and feelings about a book and express their discoveries in a creative and unique way. In 2009, Target awarded each of the six National Winners a $500 Target GiftCard, in addition to a $10,000 reading promotion grant for their school or community library. In addition, twelve National Honors recipients each received a $50 Target GiftCard, along with a $1,000 reading promotion grant for their school or community library.
Every Target Store has $2,000 to provide grants toearly childhood reading programs in its local community.
Kids In Need Teacher Resource Centers provides nearly $300 million in school supplies to low-income schools free of charge. Target has supported the Kids In Need Teacher Resource Centers since 1999 with more than $2 million dollars in sponsorship and product donation. Available to select schools with at least 70 percent of students enrolled in the federal Free Lunch program, the foundation provides more than 1.6 million children and 100,000 teachers with free supplies annually.
"Our nation's schools continue to face hurdles in providing children with the tools and resources that help to develop tomorrow's leaders," said Dave Smith, executive director, Kids in Need Foundation. "The current economic climate has made it even more challenging to receive outside funding from the local community and without the private sector's support from companies like Target that make it possible to purchase school supplies, upgrade classroom technology and take students on field trips, the education system would be faced with far greater challenges than we're currently confronting."
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,699 stores nationwide and at Target.com. Target is committed to providing a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to unique and highly differentiated products at affordable prices. Since 1946, the corporation has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs like Take Charge of Education. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week.
