Meijer campaign sets fall record

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Meijer Simply Give program set a fall record with $2.5 million for food pantries throughout the Midwest, making it the most successful fall campaign in the program's history.

Meijer customers donated more than $913,000 during the fall Simply Give campaign, and combined with a donation from Meijer, set the donation total to more than $2.5 million. The Simply Give program has generated more than $26 million since its inception in November 2008 for food pantry partners to restock their shelves and feed hungry families.

"We cannot thank our customers, team members and food pantry partners enough for continuing to rise to the challenge and help us feed hungry families, CEO Hank Meijer said. "It's inspiring to see such great enthusiasm for helping neighbors in need."

The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer began its Simply Give program as a way to help local food pantries throughout the Midwest achieve their mission of feeding hungry families.

During each Simply Give campaign, which runs three times a year, customers are encouraged to purchase a $10 Simply Give donation card upon checkout. Once purchased, the donation is converted into a Meijer Food-Only Gift Card and donated directly to the local food pantry selected by the store for that campaign.

The holiday Simply Give campaign will run Oct. 30 through Dec. 31. Meijer will double match customers' donations Nov. 11-12. That means for every $10 donation card purchase, Meijer will contribute $20, resulting in a total $30 donation.

In addition, now through Nov. 26, Meijer will donate $5 (up to $1 million) to its Simply Give program for each flu shot administered at its 230 stores.