21 July 2011

On Tuesday, July 26, more than 12,000 students in need will have the opportunity to visit and shop Target stores across the country for school supplies, clothing and other must-have necessities just in time for back-to-school. The Target School Spree will help kids, selected by The Salvation Army, from across the country gear up for the 2011 academic year. Each child will receive an $80 Target gift card to purchase much-needed school supplies.

In the Northwest Division, twelve Target stores are hosting 25 kids each from Salvation Army programs for the Back-to-School Shopping Spree. Kids (grades K - 12) are selected by The Salvation Army, using State and Federal guidelines to assess need. Shopping begins at 8am on July 26, at the following stores:

Washington

Bellingham - 30 Bellis Fair Pkwy, 98226
Lacey - 665 Sleater Kinney Road SE, 98503
Lake Stevens - 9601 Market Place, 98258
Puyallup - 3310 South Meridian, 98373
Redmond - 17700 NE 76th Street, 98052
Silverdale - 3201 NW Randall Way, 98383
Spokane - 9770 North Newport Highway, 99218
Tacoma - 3320 South 23rd Street, 98405
Vancouver - 8801 NE Hazel Dell Avenue, 98665

Northern Idaho

Coeur d'Alene - 315 W. Canfield Avenue, 83815

Western Montana

Great Falls - 2000 10th Avenue South, 59405
Missoula - 2420 North Reserve Street, 59808

"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 gift cards 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 gift cards will provide a child with the necessary supplies to go back to school in the fall.

"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.

Nearly 500 Target stores will participate in the one-day Target School Spree event in select parts across the country. All participants will be given a reusable Target shopping bag and be paired with a volunteer chaperone for their fun day of back-to-school shopping.  For more information, please visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.