Target Canada - Comes to Bolton!

Until today I had no idea that the corporate mission statement of Target included a commitment to give 5% back to each local community that there is a store or office! Today I had the opportunity to witness Target Canada's first ever (history making) philanthropic event in Canada - and it was here in Caledon - at the Albion Bolton Community Centre - the site of the annual Santa Fund warehouse.

Target Canada - which bought up a number of old Zellers sites across Canada - has its Corporate Headquarters in Peel Region (in Mississauga) and so they had contacted Volunteer Canada - and its local organization - Volunteer MBC (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon).  Carine Strong is the Executive Director of Volunteer MBC and she is also a Board Member (like myself) for Caledon Community Services. There were no Organizations in Brampton or Mississauga that were willing to host the 50+ workers from Target for their 1 day Volunteering Experience.

Stockings stuffed !

They did some terrific work, sorting food, packing hamper boxes, stuffing stockings, sorting toys, and decorating the warehouse.  Not only did Target supply the labour, they also supplied thousands of dollars of toys, toiletries, decore, and trees as well as $5,000 worth of materials that CCS will be able to keep - Bins, carts, ladders, and trolleys.  Thank you Target Canada for your time and commitment to local communities.

The most humorous find in sorting the food (the volunteers check expiry dates to make sure that people are not provided "expired food") was a package of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese - that had an expiry date of 95 JN 21!  June 21, 1995!!!
Can you believe it - this item was in the back of someone's kitchen, or basement for over 16 years! Yikes! Good eyes on the part of SARA from Target! Great job by the Target volunteers, the CCS Staff, and Volunteer Canada/ Volunteer MBC!
Peace