Meijer takes action against hunger

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer will double match every customer's $10 Simply Give donation made Sept. 2 to 8 in support of Hunger Action Month.



The Simply Give Week double match is part of a $1 million donation to the retailer's 2012 Simply Give program, which aims to replenish the shelves of nearly 200 food pantries in its five-state region each campaign.



"Hunger is a problem that continues to grow in all of our communities," co-chairman Hank Meijer announced. "This contribution shows our commitment to hunger relief in the Midwest and applauds the continued generosity our customers and team members have shown their neighbors."



The Simply Give program encourages customers to purchase $10 Meijer Food Pantry Donation Cards, which are then converted into Meijer gift cards and given to the local food pantry selected by the store.



Throughout Simply Give Week, each customer's donation will stretch even farther: For every $10 donation card purchase, Meijer will give $20 to the program, resulting in a total $30 donation.



The Simply Give program runs three times a year for about ten weeks; the fall 2012 campaign runs through Oct. 6.



Also in September, Meijer plans to once again expand its food rescue program with the addition of eight food banks in the Midwest. Participating food banks and pantries pick up fresh food – meat, cheese and select deli and bakery items – from their local Meijer store 2-3 days per week. An estimated 2,400 products are available to donate to food banks.



Nearly 700,000 pounds of food, which accounts for more than 527,700 meals, were donated by Meijer in 2011 to local food banks.