Meijer Simply Give Program Generated Nearly $6 Million for Midwest Food Pantries in 2014

Retailer's holiday hunger relief campaign generated more than $1.8 million alone

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Feb 05, 2015, 02:14 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Meijer Simply Give program – held three times a year – generated nearly $6 million in 2014 for food pantries throughout the Midwest, bringing the program's overall donation total to nearly $14 million since it began in November 2008.

The retailer's most recent campaign, which ended in January, was the most successful holiday campaign in the program's history, resulting in a total of more than $1.8 million for hungry families.

"It's inspiring to see friends and neighbors come together to take care of hungry neighbors throughout the communities we serve," Co-Chairman Hank Meijer said. "We cannot thank our customers, team members and food pantry partners enough for rising to the challenge to Simply Give."

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. The Simply Give program runs three times a year when pantries need it the most: spring, fall and during the holiday season.

In the campaigns, each of 213 Meijer stores across the Midwest joins with a local food pantry. 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 area food pantry selected by the store.

Thanks to generous Meijer customers who donated more than $733,000, the 2014 holiday campaign was the most successful holiday campaign in the program's history. Combined with a donation from Meijer, the campaign total reached more than $1.8 million in donations to local food pantries.

Since November 2008, the Simply Give program has generated nearly $14 million for those food pantry partners to distribute to hungry families. And 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 communities," Emerson said. "That's why each of our stores partners with a local food pantry during the Simply Give campaigns. Hunger is a problem that continues to increase in all of our communities, and the Meijer 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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ0LcoIW4l8.

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.