Salvation Army Food Pantry and Meijer Partner to Support Neighbors Facing Food Insecurity, Oct. 25, 2020 - Jan. 4, 2021
The Salvation Army Food Pantry and Meijer Partner to Support Neighbors Facing Food Insecurity
Through Retailer’s Simply Give Hunger Relief Program
Campaign set to run Nov. 25 through Jan. 2
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – The Salvation Army Traverse City food pantry is proud to announce a partnership with Meijer to provide much-needed relief to local families facing food insecurity through the retailer’s customer-driven hunger relief program, Simply Give.
“The need for food assistance continues to increase due to the pandemic and is expected to escalate throughout during the holiday season," said Lt. Matthew Winters. "We are grateful for the partnership with the Meijer Simply Give program. There are so many challenges facing our neighbors who are struggling. There should not be a fear of being able to feed your family."
Our community continues to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As uncertainty around guidelines and Wage disruptions place extreme pressure on low-income families, food pantries are seeing a rapid increase in demand in their communities.
Each Meijer Simply Give campaign replenishes the shelves of more than 250 food pantries in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin. The program encourages customers to purchase $10 Simply Give donation cards, which are then converted into Meijer food-only gift cards and given to a local food pantry in the store’s community.
The Salvation Army food pantry will benefit from donation cards purchased at the US - 31 Meijer store now through Jan. 2. In addition, Meijer will double match any cards purchased on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 12, effectively tripling contributions made on those days.
“The events of this year have taught us all the importance of community members supporting each other,” Lt. Matthew Winters. “We encourage community members to help us feed their neighbors facing food insecurity in insert your community this holiday season by purchasing a Meijer Simply Give food donation card during their next shopping trip.”
In light of increased need resulting from COVID-19, Meijer has already donated more than $3 million to Simply Give food pantry partners this year. Since the program began in November 2008, more than $58 million has been generated for food pantries in the Midwest to distribute to our neighbors in need.
“The holidays are a difficult time for people facing food insecurity and food pantries continue to struggle to keep up with the flood of requests they receive daily, especially given the difficult circumstances many families now face amidst the global pandemic,” said Cathy Cooper, Senior Director of Community Partnerships and Giving for Meijer. “The Simply Give program is a way for Meijer customers to partner with us and support the food banks and pantries that feed families in need in their own communities. We certainly couldn’t do it without the support and commitment of our generous customers and team members, who stand beside us in this effort.”
About your food pantry: Our food pantry is dedicated to serving our neighbor who are facing food insecurity. The food pantry is open by appointment Monday and Thursday by calling 231-946-4644. Click here for current program schedule.
About Meijer Philanthropy: Meijer is a family-owned retailer based in Grand Rapids, Mich. with a fundamental philosophy aimed at enriching lives in the communities it serves. Meijer proudly donates more than 6 percent 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. For additional information on Meijer philanthropy, please visit www.meijercommunity.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.