Meijer Offers 'Hope for the Holidays'

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer will join the Mateen Cleaves "1 Goal, 1 Passion: Hope for the Holidays" campaign, as its premier sponsor.

As part of its commitment, the retailer will offer each of the 1,000 families selected to participate in the program a $100 Meijer gift card to help buy groceries and seasonal household items.

"Meijer recognizes that in these tough economic times, some of our customers may not have the ability to make holiday celebrations a reality," Meijer President J.K. Symancyk said. "Meijer is joining the '1 Goal, 1 Passion: Hope for the Holidays' project in an effort to help more of our customers and neighbors this holiday season, and we are very pleased to partner with Mateen to bring holiday hope and joy to those in need."

Families participating in the program are nominated by the United Way, Habitat for Humanity and the Boys & Girls Clubs, the nonprofit partners of the "1 Goal, 1 Passion: Hope for the Holidays" project. Each family will receive comprehensive holiday gift packages to meet all of their needs for the holiday season and beyond. The gift packages will include payment of electric, gas and water utility bills, toys and gifts for each family member, health care assistance, personal finance recommendations for saving and budgeting, as well as United Way job counseling and placement services. All families considered for the program have been impacted by the continuing economic crisis in Michigan, and will be selected from the Lansing, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Detroit and Flint areas.

A series of fundraisers, including three high-profile events - a bowling tournament, a tailgating event and a VIP holiday party and silent auction -- plus donations from Michigan sports and business organizations will also help provide support for the designated families.

CBS Outdoor, Freakin' Unbelievable Burgers, Coca-Cola Distributors, Dean Transportation, Michigan's pro sports teams and others have joined the initiative to raise awareness and provide in-kind goods and services in support of the designated Michigan families.

Meijer operates 204 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.