Meijer’s Simply Give program raises $500K

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer and its customers helped to raise more than $500,000 for food pantries throughout the Midwest. Customers donated $184,230 during the retailer’s Simply Give Double Match Days. Meijer double matched all donations made from April 12-13, bringing the total donation amount to $552,690.

"The tremendous generosity of our customers is an inspiration for us all, and we cannot thank them enough for their partnership," said co-chairman Doug Meijer. "Our Simply Give program, along with the double match efforts, really helps make a difference for our struggling neighbors."

Meijer began double matching customer donations on select days of its Simply Give campaigns to support Hunger Action Month and highlight its continuing commitment to hunger relief.

"This is a huge win for our food pantry partners, who aggressively engaged the community to help every $10 donation stretch even further," said Janet Emerson, EVP of retail operations. "It's very rewarding to work with so many food pantries whose dedication to food-giving is 2unwavering."

Although the double match has concluded, customers can still donate to the spring Simply Give campaign, which runs through May 18.

The Simply Give program encourages customers to purchase $10 Meijer Food Pantry donation cards, located on kiosks near the checkout, which are then converted into Meijer gift cards and given to the local food pantry selected by the store. The program aims to replenish the shelves of nearly 200 food pantries in the retailer's five-state region during each campaign.

Traditionally, Meijer seeds each Simply Give campaign with $100,000 in grocery gift cards that are divided among all the participating food pantries. For the second consecutive year, the retailer will contribute $1 million, or the equivalent of 6 million meals, to the program. To date, the Simply Give program has generated nearly $5 million, or about 30 million meals, since it began in November 2008.

The family-owned retailer based in Grand Rapids, Mich., donates more than 6% 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.