Ribbon-cutting at the new library at Burnett Elementary School. Photos by Greggory Moore.
The children of Burnett Elementary School are not at the top of the socioeconomic heap. But they just got a lift, courtesy of Target and the Heart of America Foundation.
Last week Burnett became one of 32 elementary schools across nationwide to receive a library makeover in 2012 as part of the Target School Library Makeover program. This means that Burnett’s school library now has new furniture, carpet, and shelving to house 2,000 new books, several iPads and a Smartboard.
But the boost the kids received is not limited to their school. As part of the program each child received seven books of his/her own and from now on each child at Burnett will receive 30 pounds of fresh produce and staple foods on a monthly basis.
“It’s not just about the beautiful, inspiring space you’re in now,” said Principal Lucy Salazar at last week’s grand opening. “[…] It also extends beyond the walls of the library. […] The boys and girls will have an enhanced home library, and they will also not have to worry about food. [They are] nourished and ready and inspired by this project on so many levels.”
Salazar said that over 85 percent of Burnett students qualify for free and reduced lunch, so the food pantry, “the very most special thing” the school is receiving. “Is definitely serving a need here at Burnett,” she said.
Burnett Elementary School Principal Lucy Salazar addresses guests at the grand opening of the school’s new library.
The food pantry comes by way of Target’s Meals for Minds program through a partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank.
“It’s client-driven,” said Salazar of the food the children will take home. “It’s not, ‘Here’s your free bag of food. I hope it works out for you;’ they get to walk down the different tables that are set up with different stations, and they get to choose what works for their family.”
According to Target, the retailer is on track to give $1 billion for education by the end of 2015.
“A significant portion of this giving will go toward helping more U.S. children reach one of the most critical milestones on the path to graduation: the ability to read proficiently by the end of 3rd grade,” said Target spokesperson Toni Collier, noting that the Target School Library Makeover program has transformed 118 school libraries thus far.
“[Target] has a commitment to this city that I don’t think most people really understand,” said Becki Ames, Mayor Bob Foster’s chief of staff. “Target, with their own money, invested in the clean trucks that are now driving up and down the freeway […] trucks that are responsible for having reduced diesel emissions at the Port by 90 percent.”
Speaking of understanding, how well do the children of Burnett Elementary understand their windfall?
“I think children may not be so aware of resources they don’t have,” mused Salazar. “They know if they don’t have books, so that will be very tangible for them and very easy for them to understand. But I think the food is one of the things the family is definitely going to understand—and by family, I mean the heads of household. Be it a parent, a guardian, or grandparents raising children here at Burnett, it’s going to be something that is going to alleviate one of the stressors that family’s have on a monthly basis. So if you’re less stressed [she laughs], the children are going to feel that.”