Meijer Simply Give Program Achieves Record-Breaking Success During the Holiday Season

Retailer's hunger relief campaign generated more than $1.2 million for local food pantries

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Jan 23, 2014, 02:30 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Meijer customers generously donated more than $510,000 during the holiday Simply Give campaign, helping food pantries throughout the Midwest restock their shelves. That commitment to supporting hungry families, combined with a donation from Meijer, raised the holiday campaign total to more than $1.2 million, making it the most successful campaign since Simply Give began in November 2008.

"We cannot thank our customers, team members and pantry partners enough for continuing to rise to the challenge and help us feed hungry families in the communities we serve," Co-Chairman Doug Meijer said. "It's truly inspiring to see this level of engagement, especially as we celebrated Simply Give's five-year milestone this holiday season."

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

Thanks to the holiday campaign that ended earlier this month, the Simply Give program has generated nearly $8 million for those 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 campaigns."

During the Simply Give program, which runs three times a year, customers are encouraged to purchase $10 Meijer Food Pantry Donation Cards that are then converted into Meijer food-only gift cards and given to the food pantry selected by the store.

"Hunger is a problem that continues to increase in all of our communities," Doug Meijer said. "The Simply Give program gives everyone a chance to work toward ensuring no one has to live without food."

To view a video highlighting Meijer's hunger relief efforts, please visit http://newsroom.meijer.com/simply-give-at-meijer.

To view an infographic on the 5-year milestone of the Simply Give program, please visit http://newsroom.meijer.com/Media/Default/Media%20Tools/13-MJR-100_SimplyGiveInfo_HR.pdf http://www.pinterest.com/pin/259449628506748113/.

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 www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.