FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: David Peterson – (734) 844-2775
david.peterson@meijer.com
MEIJER TO PROVIDE FRESH PRODUCE, MEAT AND DAIRY ITEMS TO HELP FEED TOLEDO’S HUNGRY
Fresh Products Expand Menu Of Offerings Provided To Area Food Banks
GRAND RAPIDS, MI (October 21, 2010) – With nearly three-quarters of households served by the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank identified as “food insecure,” Meijer, the Michigan-based grocer, is stepping up its efforts to not only feed the hungry this year, but to offer healthier, fresher choices for those in need.
Entering its second year of donating to the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, Meijer announced today that it will supplement its typical dry goods donations by now supplying fresh produce, meat, dairy and deli items to the local food rescue organization.
The Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank is the leading source of emergency food assistance in the region. The 26-year-old hunger relief organization distributed nearly 3.8 million pounds of food last year to member agencies throughout eight counties in northwest Ohio. In total, more than 379,000 local residents benefited from donations made to the organization last year. Nearly 50 percent of the families served had children under the age of 18.
“No one should go to bed hungry, and those that are fortunate to find help from local pantries and food banks should be given the opportunity eat fresh, nutritious and healthy food,” said Janet Emerson, executive vice president of operations for Meijer. “The food rescue model has changed, and we’re proud to be taking the lead in providing healthy offerings to those who rely on food banks for their meals.”
Eight area Meijer stores take part in the hunger relief effort with the local food bank. Since it began working with the local food rescue organization in June 2009, Meijer has donated nearly 180,000 pounds of food that was eventually distributed to approximately 300 different member agencies.
“The Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank has significantly increased its product distribution to meet the ever-growing need for our services. With the hard winter months ahead, the need will most certainly continue to swell, and it is essential that we as a community come together and help each other,” said James M. Caldwell, president & CEO of the hunger relief organization.
Among the fresh items that Meijer will begin donating to the local food rescue organization include packaged ready-to-eat lunch and breakfast meats and cheeses, ground beef, pork and veal, fresh pizzas and bakery goods, as well as Meijer brand water, juice boxes and snacks.
Helping to combat hunger has been a primary focus of Meijer’s for many years. The company annually donates millions of pounds of food to local food banks and pantries, and has also generated nearly $1.4 million in donations to local food banks through its Simply Give program.
About the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank
Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, Inc. (TNWOFB) is a non-profit organization established to enable other community organizations to end hunger. Over the past 26-years the TNWOFB has distributed more than 70 million pounds of food and grocery products to assist those in need. Currently, the TNWOFB serves a network of more than 300 member agencies in an eight county area, including Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Williams and Wood. Agencies include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, non-profit daycare centers, foster care associations, non-profit rehabilitation centers, group homes and programs for the elderly and children. Since 1984, the TNWOFB has been an affiliate of Feeding America formerly known as America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization. For more information on the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, Inc. visit www.toledofoodbank.org.
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About Meijer
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 195 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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