Meijer Sets Goal of Reaching $1.6 Million in Food Pantry Donations with Latest 'Simply Give' Program

Chain-Wide Effort Supports 193 Local Food Banks Throughout the Midwest

Latest Effort To Run Through January 1, 2011

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Nov 10, 2010, 09:00 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The holidays may be a time of joy and celebration for millions of Midwesterners, but for local food banks and pantries, the season marks their most challenging time as they struggle to keep up with increased demand of the next two months.

To help alleviate these shortages at food banks during the holidays, Meijer is once again implementing its "Simply Give" Food Pantry Campaign to help restock the shelves of 193 local food pantries in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. The family-owned supercenter chain hopes to raise its total to more than $1.6 million in food donations since starting the program two years ago.

The latest "Simply Give" effort, Meijer's seventh since 2008, began on November 7 and will continue through January 1, 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. (The $10 amount reflects a typical bag of groceries at Meijer.)

As it has done in the past, Meijer is seeding the "Simply Give" program with $100,000 in grocery gift cards that will be divided equally among all the participating food pantries. The past six efforts have raised nearly $1.4 million in food donations to local organizations.

"It's heart-warming to see how our customers have joined us to help their friends and neighbors during these past two years, " said Hank Meijer, Co-Chairman and CEO. "This is the third holiday season for the "Simply Give" program, and we are glad to help at the time of the year when demand surges at local food banks and food pantries."

Meijer donates more than six percent of its net profit annually to a broad group of charities and organizations throughout the five states where its stores are located. The "Simply Give" program drills down even deeper by ensuring the benefit is recognized in the very community where the specific Meijer store is located. Meijer'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 Midwest.

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