Students hit their Target

GLENDALE — Alexa Moreno finished her school shopping under budget, so she returned to scour the aisles of Target on Tuesday, looking for more back-to-school supplies.

She found a dolphin binder, which she said would be among the more critical items when she begins her first day of school in fewer than three weeks.

“I got a lot of stuff, a lot a lot,” the Edison Elementary School first-grader said. “I wanted lots of things because I like school and shopping.”

By the end of the day, the Glendale Galleria Target had donated at least $2,550 in school supplies and clothes. Thirty-two children got an $80 gift card to spend on the latest fashion or pencils, binders, notebooks, graph paper and more.

Students came from the Salvation Army’s shelter or social services programs, which partnered with Target for the shopping spree.

“It’s giving them an opportunity to succeed and thrive, and helping those in need,” said Salvation Army Capt. Rio Ray. “They deserve the same chance as everyone else.”

Almost 43% of Glendale Unified students qualify for free or reduced school meals, a poverty indicator, according to the most recent data at the California Department of Education.

“It’s wonderful they can have new clothes instead of the same as last year’s that don’t fit,” Ray said.

The store was virtually empty except for the young shoppers and their volunteer chaperons, who came from various community and civic groups.

Glendale Fire Chief Harold Scoggins had his hands full with two over-capacity shopping buckets filled with supplies for students Ricardo Mendez and Enrique Salazar. Both boys wore their new backpacks around the store.

Enrique said he’d had enough summer vacation, and was eager for school to begin.

“I like school. I think it’s fun,” he said.

Scoggins added the boys were now fully primed to do their work and learn.

“We got them what they needed,” he said. “The first day of school is important to get them off to a good start.”

Taiz Montenegro, a fifth-grader at Edison, said her binder could hold family photos, and shopping for clothes was a breeze.

“I know my style,” she said.