The Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give has returned to Grand Rapids for its 11th year, continuing its commitment to supporting hunger relief across the Midwest. This year marks a significant giving milestone, as Meijer has surpassed an incredible $100 million in donations to the company’s more than 600 food pantries. Both the company and participating golfers are thrilled to honor this achievement through one of the tour’s most beloved traditions – visiting one of the food banks that benefit from Simply Give
This year, LPGA pro, Brittany Lincicome and LPGA Hall of Famer, Juli Inkster accompanied the Meijer team and Executive Chair, Hank Meijer for a visit to Northwest Food Pantry, located in the westside neighborhood of Grand Rapids.
For nearly 35 years, Northwest Food Pantry has been supplying emergency food and support to all those who are in need. The organization is volunteer run and 100% donor driven, relying on able individuals to share their gifts of time, treasure, and talent with their neighbors in need.
The pantry’s Executive Director Becca Schelhaas gave a tour of the facility, walking the group through the pantry’s day-to-day operations and sharing the community impact of the Meijer Simply Give hunger relief program.
“We wouldn’t be as well-stocked without the Meijer Simply Give program,” said Becca Schelhaas, executive director of the Northwest Food Pantry. “We are 100% donor-driven and volunteer-ran so everything that is on these shelves was a donation. Whatever we need to fill in the pieces, Meijer is there to make sure that those needs are filled.”
The Meijer Simply Give program has generated more than $100 million for food pantries across the Midwest since its beginning 17 years ago.
“All year we talk with our customers and with ourselves about the importance of the Simply Give program and fighting hunger, but visiting a pantry like this really brings home what it all comes down to,” Hank Meijer said. “This is just an incredibly important program, and we’re delighted to be a part of it to make sure that we can complement other donations to make sure nutritious meals and complete grocery store experiences are available to the people who need this pantry.”