Meijer Simply Give Program Sets Fall Record

Fall campaign generated $2.5 million for Midwest food pantries

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Oct 20, 2016, 10:00 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Meijer Simply Give program set a fall record with $2.5 million for food pantries throughout the Midwest, making it the most successful fall campaign in the program's history.

Meijer customers donated more than $913,000 during the fall Simply Give campaign, and combined with a donation from Meijer, set the donation total to more than $2.5 million. The Simply Give program has generated more than $26 million since its inception in November 2008 for food pantry partners to restock their shelves and feed hungry families.

"We cannot thank our customers, team members and food pantry partners enough for continuing to rise to the challenge and help us feed hungry families, CEO Hank Meijer said. "It's inspiring to see such great enthusiasm for helping neighbors in need."

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

During each Simply Give campaign, which runs three times a year, customers are encouraged to purchase a $10 Simply Give donation card upon checkout. Once purchased, the donation is converted into a Meijer Food-Only Gift Card and donated directly to the local food pantry selected by the store for that campaign.

"Hunger is a problem that occurs in all of our communities, which is why the funds generated from Simply Give stay local," Hank Meijer said. "The Simply Give program gives everyone a chance to work toward ensuring that no one in the communities we serve has to go without food."

The holiday Simply Give campaign will run Oct. 30 through Dec. 31. Meijer will double match customers' donations Nov. 11-12. That means for every $10 donation card purchase, Meijer will contribute $20, resulting in a total $30 donation.

In addition, now through Nov. 26, Meijer will donate $5 (up to $1 million) to its Simply Give program for each flu shot administered at its 230 stores.

A video featuring a food pantry volunteer is available on the Meijer Newsroom at http://newsroom.meijer.com/broll-footage.

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 230 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. As a pioneer 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 apparel departments, garden centers and electronics offerings. Additional information on Meijer can be found at www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer or @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.