GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – As part of its ongoing commitment to support its communities, Meijer announced today 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 GRPS elementary schools with an estimated 500 children taking food home over the 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. “We believe the Meijer Weekend Meal Program made a tremendous impact over the past 3 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.”

Meijer provides food to the program. Participating students bring fresh produce, healthy proteins, and healthy snacks home every weekend in a brown paper bag.

“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. “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. On behalf of the Kids’ Food Basket community, thank you for championing food equity in our community.”

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 & Inclusion, Sustainability and Local Giving. More details on the other donations will be shared as information becomes available.

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 258 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the “one-stop shopping” concept and has evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics. For additional information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.