Meijer launches flu shot charity campaign

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Meijer is encouraging customers to get flu shots early this fall by donating $5 to its signature hunger relief program, called Simply Give, for each flu shot administered at its 230 stores.

The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer will donate up to $1 million to the program that stocks the shelves of its food pantry partners across the Midwest while encouraging customers to get a jump on staying healthy this flu season.

"We are excited to help our customers fight the flu this season while also fighting hunger by participating in our Simply Give program," said Tim Lesneski, senior vice president of Drug Store, Pets & Consumables for Meijer. "There is no expiration date on receiving a flu shot, so the sooner you get your flu shot, the better chance you have of staying healthy."

From now through Nov. 26, Meijer will donate $5 to its Simply Give program for each flu shot administered. The Simply Give program has generated nearly $24 million for local food pantries since its 2008 inception.

Meijer operates 230 pharmacies in its supercenters throughout the Midwest, all of which administer the vaccine without an appointment during pharmacy hours and accept most major insurance plans.