At Shepherd’s Gate Food Pantry in Westfield, Ind., we’re seeing just how much of a difference community support can make.
The pantry that once served 700 people a month now helps more than 2,000 people and the need for support continues to increase.
That’s where the Meijer Simply Give program comes in. Through this partnership, we’ve been able to help Shepherd’s Gate, operated by St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, meet the growing needs of its community, not only during the holidays but all year long.
“It’s made a huge difference,” said Maureen Walker, a longtime volunteer at Shepherd’s Gate. Walker coordinates the pantry’s Simply Give food drives on behalf of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church. “The support lets us run two drives a year, in the spring and around the holidays. It makes a huge difference in what we’re able to provide.”
Simply Give is simple. Customers can add a $10 Simply Give card to their cart at checkout, which transfers as a Meijer food-only gift card for the designated food pantry partner for that store. Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, it’s an easy way to make a difference right where you live.
This spring, the pantry had its most successful Simply Give drive yet, raising $31,000 to serve families in the Westfield community.
“Knowing that we can help our neighbors through challenging times, especially during the holiday season, is something our entire team takes pride in,” said Summer Duncan, our Westfield Store Director. “Programs like this ensure pantries have the resources they need to serve everyone who comes through their doors.”
Maureen stressed the impact of Simply Give.
“Meijer is incredible when it comes to supporting our community,” she said. “They don’t have to, but they genuinely want to. It makes a world of difference.”
The Simply Give program also inspires action within the St. Maria Goretti parish. Students at the church’s school hold monthly food drives, and parishioners generously purchase Simply Give cards.
“It’s our way of teaching that giving is part of being a good citizen,” Maureen said, explaining that students see firsthand how their efforts help local families.
With the holidays fast approaching, Shepherd’s Gate also continues to see success with its annual Thanksgiving food box donation program. Parishioners deliver boxes directly to families, ensuring they have what they need for a special holiday meal.
"They [Meijer] have been a huge, huge support to our community and our pantry,” Maureen said. “It would be very difficult to provide the services we do and help the clients we serve without this additional boost. You can always find a way but knowing that Meijer has given us that little bit of breathing room on the financial side is just a tremendous help."