Midlothian resident hands out gift cards for back-to-school costs

TL;DR: CBS 6 reporter Rob Cardwell distributed $50 gift cards to shoppers at a Target in Midlothian on Aug. 20 as part of a Virginia Credit Union-sponsored effort to help families manage back-to-school costs.

The story

Rob Cardwell, a CBS 6 reporter, surprised shoppers at a Target store in Midlothian on Aug. 20, handing out $50 gift cards as part of the CBS 6 Gives initiative, sponsored by Virginia Credit Union. The gesture aimed to provide relief to families navigating higher back-to-school costs.

School supply expenses have climbed more than 8% compared to last year, according to the report. Parents and guardians face elevated prices across a range of items, from basic supplies like pencils to specialized items such as protractors and lunchboxes. The initiative recognizes the financial pressure families encounter during peak back-to-school shopping season as they prepare children for the new school year.

Key players

• Rob Cardwell: CBS 6 reporter who distributed the gift cards
• Virginia Credit Union: Sponsor of the CBS 6 Gives initiative

Why it matters: Back-to-school shopping represents a significant annual expense for Chesterfield County families. With supply costs rising faster than wages, assistance programs help ease the financial burden during a critical shopping period when families are most pressed to gather classroom essentials.

Places

• Target (Midlothian)+Chesterfield+VA)

Related links

• Virginia Credit Union

Read the original at WTVR CBS 6 Local →

Sources

• CBS 6 Rob Surprises Midlothian Shoppers