Spartan Stores ‘Christmas in May’ Focuses On Providing Essential Items for Needy
While the Christmas season is always a time when West Michigan residents generously turn to giving, today’s challenging economy has prompted a new giving season to help those in need.
Spartan Stores and Grand Rapids, Mich.-area local news affiliate 24 Hour News 8 have teamed up to collect essentiaL everyday items that aren’t readily available at food pantries or can’t be purchased with food stamps.
Dubbed “Your Money. Your Neighbor,” the “Christmas in May”-oriented event is a community-wide initiative to help struggling families make ends meet. Shopping carts are ready for contributions through May 20 at all locations of Spartan’s retail banners -- D&W Fresh Markets, Family Fare Supermarkets, Felpausch Food Centers and participating independents -- as well as other local businesses and WOOD TV8. Eight essential items being collected are toilet paper, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, bar soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, and diapers. The items can be purchased as customers shop, or contributions can be dropped off at participating locations.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to assist our west Michigan neighbors who may have lost a job or are caught in the middle of this unpredictable economy,” said Jeanne Norcross, Spartan Stores’ spokeswoman. “Times are tough for so many, and this program gives others a way to help out. By purchasing a few of the requested everyday items and filling the carts at Family Fare, D&W Fresh Markets and Felpausch Food Centers, we are on our way to collecting the products that will make such a difference to those families in need.”
Grand Rapids-based Spartan Stores supplies approximately 350 independent grocery stores in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio; it also owns and operates 100 retail supermarkets in Michigan, including Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen's Markets, D&W Fresh Markets, Felpausch Food Centers and VG's Food and Pharmacy.
Spartan Stores and Grand Rapids, Mich.-area local news affiliate 24 Hour News 8 have teamed up to collect essentiaL everyday items that aren’t readily available at food pantries or can’t be purchased with food stamps.
Dubbed “Your Money. Your Neighbor,” the “Christmas in May”-oriented event is a community-wide initiative to help struggling families make ends meet. Shopping carts are ready for contributions through May 20 at all locations of Spartan’s retail banners -- D&W Fresh Markets, Family Fare Supermarkets, Felpausch Food Centers and participating independents -- as well as other local businesses and WOOD TV8. Eight essential items being collected are toilet paper, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, bar soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, and diapers. The items can be purchased as customers shop, or contributions can be dropped off at participating locations.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to assist our west Michigan neighbors who may have lost a job or are caught in the middle of this unpredictable economy,” said Jeanne Norcross, Spartan Stores’ spokeswoman. “Times are tough for so many, and this program gives others a way to help out. By purchasing a few of the requested everyday items and filling the carts at Family Fare, D&W Fresh Markets and Felpausch Food Centers, we are on our way to collecting the products that will make such a difference to those families in need.”
Grand Rapids-based Spartan Stores supplies approximately 350 independent grocery stores in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio; it also owns and operates 100 retail supermarkets in Michigan, including Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen's Markets, D&W Fresh Markets, Felpausch Food Centers and VG's Food and Pharmacy.