In a brief ceremony on Thursday morning, Central Illinois Foodbank received a gift of $70,000 from supermarket retailer Meijer, Inc. CIFB Executive Director Pam Molitoris was present to receive a symbolic check for the donation from Meijer’s Springfield Store Director Craig Knapp, a long-time partner of the Foodbank’s food aid mission.
Over 1.2 million Illinoisans are threatened by hunger across the state. Central Illinois Foodbank helps in meeting their food needs with an annual distribution of 9 million pounds of groceries per year for more than 140 food aid programs in 21 counties.
“The folks that we’re serving that don’t know where their next meal is coming from — all of those folks are our neighbors,” explained Molitoris. “So it takes everyone in the community to really be able to have the impact that we all want to have.
“What we’ve learned over the years is that we can’t do it by ourselves[…]But when we all work together, that’s when we can really make a difference.”
Located at 4200 Conestoga Drive in Southwest Springfield, Meijer has partnered with CIFB since 2017. Thursday’s donation was part of a larger program by the company to donate $2 million to food aid programs across the Midwest.
Rick Keyes, President & CEO of Meijer, explained in the company’s press release: “We recognize the vital role food banks play in addressing hunger and are proud to stand alongside our partners to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity.
“We know there is an elevated need in many of our communities, and we want to do our part to help feed our hungry neighbors.”
A privately owned company, Meijer was founded amidst the Great Depression by Dutch immigrant Hendrik Meijer in Michigan. Since then the company has grown to nearly 260 stores throughout the Midwest. The company notes it annually donates 6% of all profits each year, but the $2 million program was described as a “surprise” donation.
The Springfield supercenter has sold groceries and household goods to the community for 20 years.
