Target of Rocky Mount, in partnership with First Book, recently announced that the “Books for Schools Award” program would present Baskerville Elementary with a grant from Target Corp.

In recognition of the efforts of Baskerville Elementary to prepare students to be successful readers, the grant will be used to purchase $500 worth of books for the media center.

Principal Ann Mitchell discussed how the grant funds will provide the school with more options for the students.

“The students and staff are very appreciative of the grant.” Mitchell said. “The grant will be used to purchase books to be added to informational text circulation which has been an ongoing project for six years.”

The grant is part of Target’s ongoing efforts to build strong, safe and healthy communities across the country. These efforts include Target’s long history of giving 5 percent of its income to communities, which today equals more than $3 million every week. As part of this commitment, Target is on track to give $1 billion for education by the end of 2015 to help kids learn, schools teach and parents and caring adults engage.

“At Target, we are committed to serving local communities where we do business,” said Laysha Ward, president of Community Relations for Target. “That’s why we are proud to partner with Baskerville Elementary as we work to strengthen communities and enrich the lives of our guests and team members.”

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at more than 1,763 stores across the United States and at Target.com. The company plans to open its first stores in Canada in 2013. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/hereforgood.