BELLVILLE – The Bellville Neighborhood Outreach Center has announced a partnership with Meijer this holiday season to provide much-needed hunger relief to local families through the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer’s customer-driven food pantry donation program, Simply Give.
“The BCOC services 110 square miles in the Clear Fork Valley. We usually see around 180 clients per month which supports over 500 individuals who are in need every single month,” said Carol Hoeflich, BNOC food pantry manager.
Each Meijer Simply Give campaign replenishes the shelves of more than 240 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 Bellville Neighborhood Outreach Center (BNOC) will benefit from donation cards purchased at the Ontario Meijer store now through Dec. 29.
“We encourage community members to help us fulfill our mission of helping feed the hungry in the Clear Fork Valley community by purchasing a Meijer Simply Give food donation card during their next shopping trip,” said Carol Hoeflich, BNOC food pantry manager.
For the seventh consecutive year, Meijer will contribute at least $1 million to the 2018 Simply Give program. Dec. 7 is the only day that the incoming funds are doubled, Hoeflich said.
The Simply Give program runs three times a year: Spring, Fall and Holiday. Since the program began in November 2008, more than $43 million has been generated for food pantries in the Midwest to distribute to our hungry neighbors.
“Today’s food pantries continue to struggle with keeping up with the flood of requests they receive daily,” Meijer Spokeswoman Christina Fecher said. “The Simply Give program is a way for Meijer customers to partner with us and support the food banks and pantries that provide food to our hungry neighbors in the communities we serve. 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 the BNOC food pantry
“Helping to enrich the lives of those who call the Clear Fork Valley home.” The BNOC is a community of volunteers working together to share in the commitment of helping our brothers and sisters throughout the Clear Fork Valley. We strive to provide those in need with some of life’s essential items including food and clothing.
About Meijer Philanthropy
Meijer is a family-owned retailer based in Grand Rapids, Mich. with a fundamental philosophy aimed at strengthening 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.
