Meijer Kick-Starts Spring With Its Latest "Simply Give" Food Pantry Donation Program

Chain-Wide Effort Will Approach $2 Million in Donations to Local Food Banks

Latest Effort To Run Through May 14, 2011

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Mar 23, 2011, 02:26 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With the onset of spring, Midwest-retailer Meijer announces the kick-start of its latest "Simply Give" campaign as a continuation of its support of local food banks and pantries.

As unemployment continues to challenge the U.S. economy, an increasing number of people focus on local food banks to help feed their families. To help alleviate these shortages at food banks during the spring season, Meijer is once again teaming up with its generous customers and team members in implementing its "Simply Give" Food Pantry Campaign to help restock the shelves of nearly 200 local food pantries in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.

"It's very inspiring to see how our customers have joined us to help their communities during these tough economic times," said Janet Emerson, executive vice president of operations for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer. "This is our eighth "Simply Give" program, and we are very pleased that we are closing in on $2 million in food donations since 2008."

The latest "Simply Give" effort began on March 20 and will continue through May 14, 2011. The program encourages local shoppers to purchase a $10 Meijer Food Pantry Donation Card at special displays throughout the store.

The donation cards are then converted into Meijer Gift cards and given to the local food pantry selected by the store. Meijer will continue seeding the "Simply Give" program with $100,000 in grocery gift cards that will be divided equally among all the participating food pantries.

Meijer donates more than six percent of its net profit annually to an expansive group of charities and organizations throughout the five states where its stores are located. The "Simply Give" program is designed to ensure the benefits assist the very community where the specific Meijer store is located. The company's "Simply Give" program is complemented by other food based initiatives, including the donation of fresh food to local food rescue organizations in communities throughout the Midwestern region.

About Meijer

Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 195 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. As the inventor of the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings. Additional information on Meijer and the ability to shop for more can be found at www.meijer.com.

SOURCE Meijer