Like many of you, I’m feeling sad because my baby is heading off to school this year. It’s kindergarten, and it’s a short day, but still…my baby is going to school. That’s all I can say about that without falling apart because, holy moly, what will I do without my little buddy by my side?
Anyway, two kids in school means twice as many school supplies and school supplies can be expensive. School supplies can also be hard to find. Last year the first grade team had us running around in search of the biggest pencil box I’ve ever seen, and it took three trips to three stores to cross everything off the list! This year…I’m planning ahead.
As much as I get sticker shock when it comes to getting my little ones ready for a new school year, I do know that I can cover the costs. For many students in America, the money for school supplies just isn’t there. There are kids in this country who show up for the first day of school without lunches in their hands or pencils in their pockets. And their kind-hearted teachers make up the difference. Did you know that 99.5% of classroom teachers buy essential classroom materials out of their own pockets and spend, on average, $485 (that’s per teacher, per year)?
That is just plain unacceptable. Kids should have access to the supplies they need and teachers shouldn’t have to purchase those supplies for their students.
The good news is that Target is dedicated to helping students in need. Inspired by Yoobi, a Target exclusive brand with a “One for You, One for Me” mission, Target will donate one school supply to a student in need for every purchase of select Up&Up school supplies in stores through August 2nd. With a goal of giving up to $25 million and potentially impacting nearly two million children living in poverty, Target makes it easy for the rest of us to help make a difference. Target knows that customers want to help others. “We know that giving is important to Target’s guests,” says Laysha Ward, president, Community Relations for Target, “This program gives them an opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others and set kids up for success through the simple act of buying school supplies.”
Ward is right. Many families do seek ways to help others, but sometimes life gets in the way. Imagine taking your child shopping for school supplies and talking about the fact that each supply purchased puts a school supply in the hands of a child in need. That’s a powerful conversation, and those are the conversations that we need to have with our kids early and often. If we want to raise kind and caring children, we have to teach them to look out for others and to find ways to help.
Target has a longstanding community partnership with the Kids in Need Foundation. Target will distribute the school supplies to students in need through the Kids in Need Foundation beginning in August.
And can I just tell you? As a nerdy mom who loves things like pencils, permanent markers (I might have even purchased some of those just for me), sticky notes, and three ring binders…the Up&Up brand is amazing. I’m not just saying that, I promise. Any of my close friends will tell you that the school supply aisle is my version of the kid in the candy store. I just can’t get enough. And the colors, designs, and prices this season will put a smile on your face (twice, in my case). Wondering what the hot items are this year? Not to worry, Target has you covered: Top trends this year include:
- Attachable matching accessories to backpacks and lunch boxes
- Colorful supplies, including notebooks and book covers
- Stylish locker accessories like disco balls and metallic mirrors
- Chevron, plaid, camouflage and peace sign patterns
Must-have products include:
- Houndstooth, Peace, Camo and Dinosaur Backpacks, $14.99 each
- Frog and Panda Lunch Boxes, $13.99 each
- Monster, Robot, Owl and Fox Water Bottles, $11.99 – $12.99 each
- up&up School Supplies, $0.31 – $7.29
- Yoobi School Supplies, $0.99 – $9.99
- Slap Bracelet Rulers, $1.99 each
- Magnetic Locker Chandelier, $9.99
- Shag Locker Rug, $5.99
- Texas Instruments 30XIIS Scientific Calculators, $12.99 each
- Cherokee Varsity Jacket, $19.99
- Cherokee Moto Jacket, $19.99
Have I convinced you to get out there and help others by shopping Up&Up for Target yet? No? Well, you’re in luck. I saved one last incentive for last… Target really wants to help those 2 million students and need, and that starts with getting you in the store to stock up on school supplies. To make that happen, Target will send one lucky winner (US only) a $300 Target Gift Card to shop for school supplies between now and August 2nd! Yes, that’s right, $300. That’s a lot of school supplies for your little one, and a lot of school supplies for other little ones all over this country.
I have one favor to ask of you before I tell you how to enter: SHARE THIS POST. The more this post is shared, the more kids we help. Yes, it’s fun to win a gift card and will certainly help off-set your back-to-school costs, but I teamed up with Target on this one because I can’t stand the thought of kids showing up to school empty handed. Every child deserves a great start, and we, Practical family, have the power to help other children simply by making our purchases at Target this year. So please, spread the word – let’s work together to make a difference. How to win the $300 Target Gift Card:
- Open to US readers only
- Leave me a comment sharing the age of your child and your “must have” school supplies this year. Also, head over to Target.com and tell me your favorite Up&Up and/or Yoobi school supplies.
- MAKE SURE that I have your email address. You can’t win if I can’t reach you.
- Have fun shopping!!! (Just be sure to make those purchases by 8/2)
- This contest closes on July 26th at 8pm EST.
If you happen to shop with your RedCard, please remember that Target will donate 1% of your purchase to the K-12 school of your choice through the Take Charge of Education program. To date, Target has donated over $387 million to K-12 schools!
Ok, friends, that’s all for now. Read it. Share it. And shop at your local Target store….right now!
About Target Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,916 stores – 1,789 in the United States and 127 in Canada – and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $4 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit target.com/corporateresponsibility.
Disclaimer: Target asked me to help promote their school supply program and provided a Target Gift Card to purchase Up&Up and Yoobi school supplies for reference. I have a longstanding relationship with Target and enjoy partnering with them to help with community programs and giving back. All opinions contained within this post (I do love those sticky notes!) are my own.