More than 60 local students in kindergarten though eighth grade from P.S. 14Q in Corona participated in a private back-to-school shopping spree earlier today as Target, in partnership with Queens-based nonprofit New York Edge, provided $100 gift cards and a Champion backpack stocked with school supplies.
Students and their families were invited to shop at the Target store on College Point Boulevard in Flushing, using their gift cards to stock up on school essentials and start the new school year with confidence.
The backpacks provided to students were also stocked with supplies, including Yoobi notebooks, gel pens, a reusable water bottle and snacks.
An employee at the Target in Flushing helps a family find school supplies during the giveaway. Photo courtesy of Target
“Today’s back-to-school shopping event, hosted in partnership with Target, is helping local students and families from P.S. 14Q start the school year with much-needed school supplies and essentials,” said Makayla Michelini, volunteer engagement coordinator at New York Edge. “Thanks to Target, participants received pre-filled backpacks and gift cards to shop for additional supplies, from pens and pencils to snacks and clothes.”
New York Edge is New York City’s largest provider of free after-school and free summer enrichment programs, serving more than 33,000 K-12 students across all five boroughs.
To help bridge the opportunity gap for students in underinvested communities, the nonprofit offers programs designed to improve academic performance, health and wellness, self-confidence and leadership skills. These programs include free after-school and summer programs that offer academic support, STEM, arts, sports, college and career readiness, leadership development and social-emotional learning to help students succeed in school and beyond.
A family checks out at the register with brand new school supplies purchased with their Target gift card. Photo courtesy of Target
“In partnership with New York Edge, we’re helping local students start the new academic year with confidence and school essentials, including backpacks, notebooks, pens and snacks,” said Target Store Director Faye Cardoso.
Cardoso said this special shopping experience is part of Target’s nationwide back-to-school initiative, which is helping approximately 1,700 students in 20 communities prepare for the year ahead.
In 2025, in the greater New York area, Target gave over $15 million in product and cash donations, including over 6.7 million pounds of food to local food banks. Target’s team members volunteered over 47,500 hours in the community.
A Target employee helps a family bag their school supplies. Photo courtesy of Target