Corporate Responsibility

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer is continuing its pantry donation program by kicking off a springtime campaign.

The Midwest retailer is once again teaming up with its customers and team members in implementing its Simply Give program to help restock the shelves of nearly 200 local food pantries in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.

This marks Meijer's eighth Simply Give effort, which began on March 20 and will continue through May 14.

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- The Safeway Foundation announced that it has donated $100,000 and will match employee donations up to $50,000 to help with the Japan earthquake and tsunami relief effort. The contribution will be distributed to the impacted area through the American Red Cross.

CINCINNATI -- Macy's Inc. announced that it will make a corporate contribution of $100,000 in cash to the American Red Cross for earthquake and tsunami relief on behalf of Macy's and Bloomingdale's associates across America. In addition, the company said it will match, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, all employee contributions of $25 or more to the American Red Cross and other U.S.-based organizations providing rescue and relief assistance in Japan. 

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company announced that, along with its sister Ahold USA supermarkets, $100,000 will be donated to the American Red Cross Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund to support disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Additionally, through Sunday, April 3, Stop & Shop said it will be collecting donations in all stores for the victims of the natural disasters in Japan on behalf of the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has made a $500,000 donation to Save the Children to assist with Japan’s earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.

“When disaster strikes, Target listens and acts quickly to provide meaningful support to people in need,” said Gregg Steinhafel, Chairman, President and CEO, Target. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the earthquake and tsunami and we hope our donation will aid in the country’s recovery.”

Chicago -- Retailers and consumer product manufacturers who create and maintain a diverse workforce are more likely to increase innovation and meet consumer needs than those who don’t, according to a new report by the Network of Executive Women.

Retail is a hard enough business without muddying the waters with all sorts of activities that have nothing to do with selling stuff shoppers want and need. To recap, Target gave some money to a homophobic politician who a lot of people thought was a jerk, which created an uprising in the gay and lesbian community and resulted in the company adopting a new policy to govern the political contribution process.

Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties said that eleven of its malls in the Midwestern U.S. handed out 6,000 gifts during National Random Acts of Kindness week, Feb. 14-20.

The program is designed to give back to the community and support local nonprofit groups.