A Facebook post shared thousands of times says that Target ended its “Shop with a Cop” program, officially known as “Heroes & Helpers,” in light of the recent protests against police brutality.
It reads: “In an effort to distance themselves from Police Officers, Target has cut ties with participating in ‘Shop with a Cop.’ So, underprivileged kids can not shop for Christmas gifts because the police ruin Target’s image.”
The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
Similar claims also circulated on Twitter, and a website called the Courier Daily amplified the rumor without offering any evidence.
The annual holiday event “pairs officers with underprivileged elementary school students as they shop for holiday gifts for their families with gift cards donated by police and retailers,” Target says on its website. The event celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019.
Target hasn’t issued any announcement that the program has been discontinued. On the contrary, a Target spokesperson told PolitiFact that the company plans to keep it going.
“We plan to continue to support children with Heroes & Helpers events across the country this holiday season,” the spokesperson wrote in an email. “Like many of our holiday programs, we’re carefully considering how to manage these events during the COVID-19 environment in a way that ensures the health and safety of our team and guests. We will have additional details to share as we approach the holiday season.”
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A Target spokesperson said the company plans to continue the "Shop with a Cop" program, officially known as "Heroes & Helpers," an annual event pairing underserved children with officers to shop for holiday gifts.
Statement
Context
a Facebook postSpeaker/Target
Statement Date
Our Sources
Facebook post, July 23, 2020
Target, Shop with a Cop: Holiday Wishes Comes True, Thanks to Friends in Blue, Dec. 22, 2011
Reuters, Fact check: Target not planning to end its "Shop with a Cop" program, July 28, 2020
CheckYourFact, FACT CHECK: DID TARGET RECENTLY CANCEL ITS ‘SHOP WITH A COP’ PROGRAM?, July 28, 2020
Email interview, spokesperson at Target, July 31, 2020
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