“We are a community in pain. That pain is not unique to the Twin Cities — it extends across America,” wrote Target CEO Brian Cornell in a message to the Minneapolis-based retailer’s employees and metro area residents. The statement was issued on May 29, before unrest over the police-involved death of George Floyd spread across the country over the weekend.
“As a Target team, we’ve huddled, we’ve consoled, we’ve witnessed horrific scenes similar to what’s playing out now and wept that not enough is changing. And as a team, we’ve vowed to face pain with purpose,” Cornell said.
The company released details on some of the programs through which it plans to exhibit this commitment:
- Immediate distribution of basic supplies such as bottled water, food, baby formula, diapers, dry goods, first-aid supplies and medicine through partnerships with local nonprofits;
- Grants to assist small businesses in their efforts to rebuild through the Target Foundation;
- Forming groups of community members, partners and officials to help Target formulate and shape ways it can provide resources and long-term support to the community, particularly the needs of families, in Minnesota; and
- Rebuilding and reopening the store at the center of the unrest, 2500 E. Lake Street, by the end of the year to reinstate approximately 200 jobs, and reopening other damaged stores in the near future.
Displaced team members from Target’s E. Lake Street store will receive full pay and benefits for an unspecified number of weeks. “In any of our other locations that are damaged or at risk, the safety and well-being of our team, guests and the surrounding community will continue to be our paramount priority,” he added.
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Separately, Target announced that six stores, including the E. Lake Street store, will remain closed until further notice.
