Meijer contributes extra $1M to Simply Give Food Pantry partners
As part of its ongoing commitment to invest in its communities, Meijer has donated an extra $1 million to Midwest food pantries participating in the retailer’s Simply Give hunger relief program.
"One in eight Americans face food insecurity nationwide. That is a troubling statistic that reinforces why we're so committed to addressing hunger in the communities we serve," said Rick Keyes, president and CEO of Meijer. "We are extremely proud the Simply Give program, with the support of our customers, is successfully reducing hunger throughout the Midwest, making a true difference in our communities."
The $1 million donation was divided equally among the retailer's 468 Midwest food pantry partners that participated in the 2022 Simply Give program.
The donation equates to four million meals. The meal calculation is based on the approximate average meal cost from select food pantry partners across the Meijer footprint. The contribution will help ensure food pantries like Carmel United Methodist Church in Carmel, Ind., remain well stocked.
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"The Carmel United Methodist Food Pantry relies heavily on the Meijer Simply Give program, as well as any other extra gifts that help us feed the working hungry right here in Hamilton County," said Linda Withrow, missions coordinator at Carmel United Methodist Church. "The Simply Give program allows our food pantry buyers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as meat, which is what our guests love the most about our pantry because those are commodities that they do not get at most food pantries. Like the Meijer Family, Carmel United Methodist Church cares about our neighbors and we are profoundly grateful for your gifts and support."
Joyce Yaklin, pantry coordinator at the St. Paul of Tarsus Catholic Church in Clinton Township, Mich., said, "This has arrived at a perfect time as our pantry has become vital to an increasing number of households," she said. "As always, we appreciate Meijer's continued support to strengthen the community."
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In addition with support from Meijer, the Simply Give program is partially funded by the retailer's generous customers through four campaigns a year. The current Simply Give campaign will run through July 1. Customers are encouraged to pick up a $10 Simply Give donation card during each campaign upon checkout. Once purchased, the donation card is converted into a Meijer Food-Only Gift Card and donated directly to the local food pantry selected by the store to feed hungry families. In addition, Meijer customers shopping online using Meijer Pickup or Home Delivery can also pick up Simply Give donation cards as an add-on to their orders.