Spartan Stores, a grocery supplier to independent grocers and operator of 99 retail stores throughout Michigan, is stepping up to provide support to the General Motors auto workers who have lost their jobs due to the May closure of the GM Metal Fabricating Plant. Spartan has also offered the program to UAW locals in Eastern Michigan and Traverse City, Mich.

In early June, Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spartan provided 850 Michigan Proud bar coded cards offering a 10 percent discount on groceries and 3 percent on fuel now through July 12, 2009, to the UAW Region 1D office for distribution to the auto workers affected by the plant closure for use at any D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare, Felpausch, Glen’s Markets, Glen’s Fresh Marketplace or VG’s Michigan location.

“We all know the American auto industry is going through a difficult period,” said Alan Hartline, Spartan’s EVP/merchandising and marketing. “Yet we believe the American spirit will prevail and the industry will come out of this difficult time a new and stronger entity. We in Michigan appreciate the contributions the auto industry has made to our country, communities and families, and wish to assist with the Michigan Proud card, [which] is our way of showing appreciation for the contributions of auto workers and [the] positive impact they have on our communities and families, by lessening the expense of food and fuel during this challenging time.”

With warehouse facilities in Grand Rapids and Plymouth, Mich., Spartan distributes more than 40,000 private label and national brand products to approximately 350 independent grocery stores in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.