As part of its ongoing commitment to support its communities, Meijer announced that it's giving $1 million to Kids' Food Basket to support the nonprofit's efforts to expand the Grand Rapids Public Schools' Meijer Weekend Meal Program.
The program currently serves two Grand Rapids public elementary schools with an estimated 500 children taking food home every weekend. The retailer's contribution will expand the program during the 2022-23 school year.
Although estimates aren't yet available, the expanded program will help more children bring food like fresh produce, healthy proteins, and snacks home for the weekend at a time when it's most needed.
According to the Food Security Council, estimates show that during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity increased to approximately 1.9 million people in Michigan, which includes 552,000 children.
“We understand that healthy students are better learners, but we also recognize that an increasing number of families are struggling to put food on their tables as the challenges around the pandemic continue,” said Cathy Cooper, senior director of community partnerships and giving for Meijer, in a statement. “We believe the Meijer Weekend Meal Program made a tremendous impact over the past three years, and are glad to see it expand to help even more students get nutritious meals that will ultimately help them focus in the classroom.”
“For over 10 years, Kids' Food Basket has had the honor to partner with Meijer to break down the barriers to food equity in our community,” said Bridget Clark Whitney, president and founding CEO of Kids' Food Basket, in a statement. “The Meijer Weekend Meal Program allows us to scale our healthy, nourishing weekend meals to students at a time when rising costs are putting a strain on so many families. This is needed now more than ever.”
The Kids' Food Basket donation is part of the retailer's end-of-year donation program, totaling $6.5 million that will support its key areas of giving: hunger relief, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, and local giving.
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