Meijer Launches Double Match Days for its Critical Spring Simply Give Campaign

Retailer matches spring campaign donations 2-to-1 April 17-18 to help food pantries gear up for summer months

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Apr 14, 2015, 01:00 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Meijer holds its signature hunger relief program, Simply Give, three times a year when its food pantry partners need the most help, but the spring campaign is arguably the most critical campaign.

"The spring Simply Give campaign is responsible for helping our food pantry partners prepare for the uptick in clients they see in the summer when federal school lunch programs are not available to children," Co-Chairman Hank Meijer said. "The Simply Give program has helped fill a void in the communities we serve thanks to the continued support and generosity of our customers, team members and pantry partners."

To help those food pantries gear up for the summer months, the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer will stretch every customer's $10 Simply Give donation further April 17-18. That means for every $10 donation card purchase, Meijer will contribute $20, resulting in a total $30 donation.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 19.5 percent of all households with children nationwide were food insecure in 2013. Additionally, food-insecure children in about 70 percent of low-income homes in 2010-11 received free or reduced-price school meals, which is the most recent data available.

Meijer began its Simply Give program in November 2008 as a way to help restock the shelves of local food pantries throughout the Midwest. Since then, the program has generated nearly $14 million for those food pantry partners to distribute to hungry families. And, more importantly, those meals stay local, said Janet Emerson, executive vice president of retail operations for Meijer.

"We know how important it is to our customers that their generous donations remain in their local communities," Emerson said. "That's why each of our stores partner with a local food pantry during the Simply Give campaign."

During each Simply Give campaign, customers are encouraged to purchase $10 Simply Give donation cards that are then converted into Meijer food-only gift cards and given to the food pantry selected by the store. The Simply Give program runs three times a year; the spring campaign will run through May 11.

Customers will have an opportunity for Meijer to double match their donations April 17-18.

Customers can find Simply Give donation cards on fixtures near the checkout, and grocery and pharmacy departments.

To view a video that highlights the retailer's hunger relief efforts, please visit http://newsroom.meijer.com/meijer-simply-give-video.

About Meijer Philanthropy: Meijer is a family-owned retailer based in Grand Rapids, Mich. with a fundamental philosophy aimed at strengthening the communities it serves. Meijer proudly donates more than 6 percent of its net profit each year to charities throughout the Midwest. With hunger as a corporate philanthropic focus, Meijer partners with hundreds of food banks and pantries through its Simply Give and food rescue programs. Meijer also supports education, disaster relief, and health and wellness initiatives. For additional information on Meijer philanthropy, please visit http://meijercommunity.com/. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.