Pathways to Education Canada Partners With Target to Support Student Nutrition

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 28, 2014) -

Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available on the Canadian Press picture wire via Marketwired.

On November 27, 2014, Target Canada renewed its partnership with Pathways to Education Canada - a national charity that helps youth from low-income communities graduate from high school and successfully transition into post-secondary education or training. Target pledged $300,000 to help support nutrition initiatives at the charity's program sites across the country.

"Having a proper nutrition is essential to leading a healthy and accomplished life," said Vivian Prokop, President and CEO of Pathways to Education Canada. "Target's new pledge means that Pathways can continue to help students build a foundation for success both inside and outside of the classroom."

To commemorate its renewed commitment to the program, Target joined Pathways yesterday evening during a special event at Flemington Public School, part of the Pathways Lawrence Heights catchment area. Along with an official cheque presentation, Target also donated an array of kitchen items and food products for use by Pathways' students, volunteers, and staff, and presented surprise gifts for each of the 200 Pathways students in attendance.

"Target is so pleased to be able to continue the partnership we have established with Pathways to Education Canada," said Diane Gordon, Group Manager, Community Relations, Target Canada. "We are honoured to be able to provide kids across Canada with access to healthy snacks and meals, helping them achieve success inside and outside of the classroom."

Target has been a Food and Nutrition Partner with Pathways to Education Canada since 2012. Nutrition programs are tailored to fit the needs of each Pathways location and include healthy snacks and meals during tutoring and mentoring sessions, nutrition and healthy-eating classes, and healthy meals for community celebrations.

"I've seen firsthand the positive effects that good nutrition can have on a student's learning," said Owen Hinds, Program Director of Pathways to Education Lawrence Heights. "Being able to offer healthy snacks during our tutoring and mentoring sessions ensures that none of our students have to face the debilitating effects of hunger while they learn."

Pathways to Education is working to make Canada a Graduation Nation where all youth have an equal opportunity to graduate from high school and build the foundation for their future success. Target's generous donation will help Pathways reach that goal.

About Pathways to Education Canada

Pathways to Education Canada is a charitable organization that helps youth in low-income communities graduate high school and successfully transition into post-secondary education or training. Pathways addresses systemic barriers to education by providing leadership, expertise and a community-based program proven to lower dropout rates. Founded in 2001, Pathways operates in 17 communities across Canada, with programs in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and British Columbia. Pathways was recently recognized with a 2013 World Innovation Summit for Education award (WISE) from the Qatar Foundation for its innovative and effective work in education - the first Canadian organization to receive the honour.

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,934 stores - 1,801 in the United States and 133 in Canada - and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit to communities, that giving equals more than $4 million a week. For more information, visit Target.com/Pressroom. For a behind-the-scenes look at Target, visit ABullseyeView.com or follow @TargetNews on Twitter.

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