FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Christina Fecher, 616-735-7968christina.fecher@meijer.com
Meijer Donates $10,000 in Gift Cards to Help Feed Illinois Residents in Need
Retailer Continues Commitment to Help Fight Hunger During the Holidays
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (December 15, 2011) – An estimated 500 Illinois residents will be able to put food on their tables this holiday thanks in part to a donation by Meijer to Vision of Restoration, Inc., a nonprofit organization founded by Rev. Marvin E. Wiley, pastor of Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Maywood, Illinois.
The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer donated $10,000 in gift cards, which will be distributed to families who visit the Vision of Restoration food pantry through Christmas, said Maureen Mitchell, market director of the North market in the Western region for Meijer.
“We are committed to helping fight hunger and we are happy to be able to continue that tradition during the holidays,” Mitchell said. “Meijer truly focuses on supporting the communities where our customers and team members work and live.”
An average of 150 people visit Vision of Restoration’s food pantry on a weekly basis, said Yvette Ford-Lovely, director of the Maywood, Il.-based nonprofit.
“Vision of Restoration is so honored to have received 500 $20 gift cards from Meijer,” Ford-Lovely said. “These gift cards are a true blessing for our food pantry patrons. They can now purchase perishable goods, such as turkeys or hams, which they may have gone without.”
Annually, Meijer donates more than 6 percent of its net profits to charity.
For more information on Vision of Restoration, please visit www.vorhelp.org. For more information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com, follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.
About Meijer
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 197 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. As the inventor of the “one-stop shopping” concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings. Additional information on Meijer and the ability to shop for more can be found at www.meijer.com.
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