By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

The Shelby County Salvation Army and Alabaster’s Target store are teaming up to give more than 30 kids in need a chance to stock up for the upcoming school year.

From 9-10 a.m. on Friday, July 19, Salvation Army and Target will allow the kids to fill a shopping cart with back-to-school items. During the event, each child will receive an $80 gift card to purchase school supplies, clothing and anything else they need before returning to the classroom next month.

“We are excited to get what these children need,” said Lt. Jamie Leonard of the Shelby County Salvation Army. “We are also partnering to assist the Shelby County Day School, allowing those children to receive supplies they wouldn’t normally get.”

Nationwide, Target awarded $1 million in gift cards to all 40 Salvation Army divisions for these shopping sprees this year. Nearly 500 Target stores are participating in this event across the country.