Food News

Grand Rapids, Michigan- Meijer announced to donate $2 Million to 30 key food bank partners to combat hunger in its local communities. These donations strive to create a larger impact by helping the food banks to better meet the needs of the ones they serve which in turn will result in a positive effect on communities across the Midwest.

President & CEO of Meijer Rick Keyes said, “We recognize the vital role food banks play in addressing hunger and are proud to stand alongside our partners to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity. We know there is an elevated need in many of our communities, and we want to do our part to help feed our hungry neighbors.”

It’s been 90 years since feeding people has been at the heart of Meijer. One Of the longest-standing philanthropic commitments of Meijer has been hunger relief. Food banks happen to be large-scale operations serving dozens of smaller-scale food pantries which in turn serve a smaller geographic region. This cooperative system is designed in such a way that the needy people get access to food.

President and CEO of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc. Fred Glass is grateful for Meijer’s support through their recent gift. He further said that food insecurity continues to rise across the country and the same is the case with Indiana too. Having a partner like Meijer makes a huge impact on the food bank’s ability to provide nutritious meals for Hoosiers experiencing food insecurity. He also thanked Meijer and his team for staying committed in their fight against hunger.

Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio also reciprocated the appreciation.

President and CEO of the organization Julie Chase-Morefield said, “Meijer has been a tremendous partner to Second Harvest with its weekly food donations, which reach families through our regional network of food pantries and hot meals program. This generous donation will allow us to continue to source fresh for our senior food box program that serves over 1,800 local seniors and delivers produce boxes at our local WIC office to expecting and new mothers.”

The food banks that are expected to receive the donation include:

• Terre Haute Catholic Charities Food Bank
• South Michigan Food Bank
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Clark, Champaign & Logan Counties
• Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Mahoning Valley
• Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana
• Northern Illinois Food Bank
• Mid-Ohio Food Collective
• Greater Lansing Food Bank
• Greater Cleveland Food Bank
• Greater Chicago Food Depository
• God’s Pantry Food Bank (Lexington, Ky.)
• Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana
• Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeast Michigan
• Freestore Foodbank (Cincinnati, Ohio)
• Forgotten Harvest (Detroit, Mich.)
• Food Gatherers (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
• Food Bank of Eastern Michigan
• Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland
• Feeding America West Michigan
• Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin
• Eastern Illinois Foodbank
• Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana
• Central Illinois Foodbank
• Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

About Meijer

Meijer is a privately owned retailer serving customers at more than 500 supercenters, grocery markets, neighborhoods, and express locations throughout the Midwest. More than 70,000 Meijer team members have worked hard to deliver a great online shopping experience by featuring fresh foods, household items, health, and wellness products, and services. Every year, he donates 6% of his profit to strengthen the communities.