Target Hosts 'Party for Good: Making Meals to Feed Young Minds' at the 2010 National Conference on Volunteering and Service

MINNEAPOLIS, June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To celebrate volunteerism and help combat hunger facing many children and families across New York City, today Target is hosting a one-of-a-kind service event, "Party for Good: Making Meals to Feed Young Minds." More than 5,000 attendees from the 2010 National Conference on Volunteering and Service are expected to attend the service event and help assemble 150,000 meals that will be donated to the Food Bank For New York City at Basketball City (Pier 36 @ South Street).

"The 'Party for Good' allows Target to expand our commitment to combat hunger and its impact on children's academic achievement," said Laysha Ward, president, community relations, Target. "We're proud to partner with the National Conference on Volunteering and Service and the Food Bank For New York City on this unique service project."

As part of its title sponsorship of the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, convened by Points of Light Institute and the Corporation for National and Community Service, with local conveners NYC Service and New Yorkers Volunteer, Target is reinforcing its larger commitment to supporting education, service and reducing hunger. The event's emcee, "The Insider" host Lara Spencer, along with Conference attendees, including leaders in the nonprofit, government and corporate sectors across the country, will roll up their sleeves to meet the 150,000 meal goal, which translates to more than 4,000 meal kits. Each kit provides a family of four with three meals a day for three days, and includes items from Target's Archer Farms and Market Pantry owned brands, such as oatmeal, multigrain pasta and canned chunk white tuna.  

Throughout the evening there also will be celebrity appearances, including a special performance by Katharine McPhee, "American Idol" Season Five runner-up.

"The Food Bank For New York City is honored to be the recipient of Target's extraordinary Party for Good which will allow thousands of New York City children and their families to come together and share a meal.  As a long-time partner, Target has taken a multi-faceted approach to food poverty by supporting the Food Bank financially, with product donations and through volunteerism. We are very grateful for that support," said Lucy Cabrera, Ph.D., President & CEO of the Food Bank For New York City.  "The current economic crises has had a critical affect on the Food Bank's ability to meet the demand for food and services, but with generous partners like Target, we will be able to continue doing what we know how to do best… feed the hungry while seeking out long-term solutions to food poverty throughout New York City."  

In support of the event, Target teamed up with Procter & Gamble and Coke/Glaceau, for donations to make the event possible. Procter &Gamble provided additional hygiene essentials that will be given to Food Bank For New York City, and Coke/Glaceau provided water and other beverages for the event attendees.  

"Party for Good" is an extension of the Target Meals for Minds initiative.  Launched in May 2010, the innovative partnership with Feeding America and local food banks will bring food to schools to feed students and families most in need.  This fall, Target will expand Meals for Minds into more schools across the country to help nourish young minds and ease the impact of hunger on academic achievement. Target also is working with Feeding America to develop a toolkit to help hunger organizations expand these types of programs to assist more kids and families in need.  In 2010, Target has committed $3.5 million, through Target Meals for Minds and other school-based food programs, to combat the impact of hunger on a child's learning, and the company is projected to donate more than 20 million pounds of food to children and families in need.

"Feeding America is excited to partner with Target on 'Meals for Minds' to address the stark reality of the escalating number of families turning to America's food banks," said Vicki Escarra, President & CEO, Feeding America.  "Target's heritage of giving back is unique and distinctive as evidenced by the overwhelming response to 'Party for Good', which serves to ignite change and involvement in America that will benefit the 17 million children who struggle with hunger each year." 

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,740 stores in 49 states 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.

About Points of Light

Points of Light Institute inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action that changes the world. The Institute has a global focus to redefine volunteerism and civic engagement for the 21st century, putting people at the center of community problem solving. We are organized to innovate, incubate and activate new ideas that help people act upon their power to make a difference. Points of Light Institute operates three dynamic business units that share our mission: HandsOn Network, generationOn, AmeriCorps Alums, MissionFish and the Civic Incubator. For more information, visit PointsofLight.org.

About the Corporation for National and Community Service

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

About the Food Bank For New York City

Food Bank For New York City recognizes 27 years as the city's major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs.  As the city's hub for integrated food poverty assistance, the Food Bank tackles the hunger issue on three fronts — emergency food distribution, income support and nutrition education — all strategically guided by its research. Through its network of approximately 1,000 food assistance programs citywide, the Food Bank helps provide 300,000 free meals a day for New Yorkers in need. The Food Bank's hands-on nutrition education program in the public schools reaches thousands of children, teens and adults. Income support services including food stamps, free tax assistance for the working poor and the Earned Income Tax Credit put millions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income New Yorkers, helping them to achieve greater dignity and independence. Every dollar donated to the Food Bank helps provide five meals to New Yorkers in need. Learn how you can help at foodbanknyc.org.

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

SOURCE Target