World News – CA – Meijer’s Simply Give Program triples donations

Meijer will go the extra mile this year to support U.. S.. . Food pantries struggling to keep up with increasing demand due to the pandemic and economic crisis.

Meijer says any Simply Give cards purchased on December will be double-match. 1, the national day of giving. The retailer is offering customers the option to convert their purchase of a $ 10 donation card to $ 30 for a local pantry.

« Our customers and team members play an important role in supporting our communities through Simply Give. We look forward to helping them grow their donations, « said Rick Keyes, CEO of Meijer President &. “While the holidays will no doubt look different for our customers this year, we know we can come together by helping our neighbors in need. « 

The retailer is holding a second double game day on December. 12th. However, customers can participate in the Simply Give campaign until January. 2. At the end of the campaign, the donation cards will be converted into grocery-only gift cards and given to the business partner’s pantry to serve those who face food insecurity in the customer’s neighborhood.

Meijer has already donated nearly $ 4 million to Simply Give Food Pantry partners this year and is well on its way to serving more than 80 million meals by 2020.

Food banks have seen demand grow steadily 60% over the past year, as reported by Feeding America, and continue to need more food and resources to serve those in need.

« The holidays are a difficult time for people faced with food insecurity and pantries continue to struggle to keep up with the deluge of inquiries they receive every day, especially given the difficult circumstances faced by many families in the face of the global pandemic, « said Cathy Cooper, senior director, community partnerships and donations for Meijer. « The Simply Give program is a way for Meijer customers to work with us and support the pantries that feed families in need in their own communities. « 

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 35 million people, including nearly 11 million children, lived in households with unsafe diets, according to the USDA. However, a recent analysis by Feeding America found the number could climb to more than 50 million people, including 17 million children, in 2020.

Meijer’s holiday campaign follows grocer’s Simply Give fall campaign, which began in August. 23 and ended Oct.. . 24. Each Meijer Simply Give campaign fills the shelves of more than 250 pantries in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin.

Since the program started in November. In 2008, more than $ 58 million was generated for food pantries in the Midwest, representing an estimated 580 million meals. According to Feeding America, $ 1 is the equivalent of 10 meals.

Weis Markets also participates in the National Day of Giving. On that day, each Weis store compares customer donations with a donation of $ 500.

In addition, Meijer recently held a pick-up surprise for its customers to give something back. It informed its customers in the Midwest who were collecting groceries that their orders were free.

« This year has been a challenging year for everyone, so we wanted to show our appreciation for some of the customers who trusted us in their important purchases, » said Derek Steele, vice president of customer strategy at Meijer. « Surprising them when they were collecting groceries to prepare their Thanksgiving meals seemed like an ideal time to do something special. « 

Meijer, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, operates more than 245 supercenters and grocery stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. The company is No.. 19 on PG 100, Progressive Grocers 2020 list of the best food and consumables retailers in North America.

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Meijer, Donation, Giving Tuesday, Food Bank, Michigan