For immediate release
Contact: Christina Fecher, 616-735-7968 christina.fecher@meijer.com
Meijer Donates Trucks Valued at More Than $200,000 to Local Food Banks, Community Partners
Retailer Provides 18 Semi-Tractors to Community Partners in Four States to Help Fight Hunger
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Jan. 30, 2012) – While Meijer donates to thousands of charitable organizations throughout the year, helping fight hunger has been a primary focus of the supercenter chain for several years. In keeping with that commitment, Meijer donated 18 reconditioned tractors to local food banks and educational partners in the Midwest earlier this month, said Rick Keyes, executive vice president of supply chain operations and manufacturing for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer.
“We are proud to be able to offer this level of assistance to these organizations that are doing the good work of addressing hunger in their communities,” Keyes said. “Meijer truly focuses on supporting the communities where our customers and team members work and live, and we are excited to help fight the problem.”
The 18 tractors had previously been part of the Meijer truck fleet and were recently replaced with ones that offered the latest technology in emissions control. All of the vehicles have been reconditioned and prepped for their next use, including new tires, maintenance inspections and new graphics specific to each donation recipient.
Seven food banks and two educational institutions in four states were selected to receive the tractors. They include:
· Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank (Comstock Park, Michigan)
· Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan (Detroit, Michigan)
· Food Bank of Eastern Michigan (Flint, Michigan)
· Forgotten Harvest (Oak Park, Michigan)
· Lansing Community College (Lansing, Michigan)
· Ferris State University (Big Rapids, Michigan)
· West Ohio Food Bank (Lima, Ohio)
· Food Finders Food Bank (Lafayette, Indiana)
· Northern Illinois Food Bank (Geneva, Illinois)
“We will be using the lovingly restored tractors for picking up food donations, as well as food delivery within our vast 40-county service area, which includes the Upper Peninsula, and the west side of the state down to St. Joseph,” said Tim Johnson, a driver at Feeding America West Michigan. “Having access to this refurbished equipment helps us to serve the many hungry families in West Michigan.”
The food banks and educational institutions were chosen because helping fight hunger has been a primary focus of Meijer for many years. The company annually donates millions of pounds of food to local food banks and pantries, and has generated more than $2.3 million in donations to local food banks through its Simply Give program.
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 a pioneer 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. Please follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer or become a fan at www.facebook.com/Meijer.
Editorial Note: Please contact Meijer Community Relations Specialist Christina Fecher for photos of the donations.
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