#USA #Meijer #hunger relief #Grand Rapids, Michigan #Midwest Volunteers

Meijer Honors Community Heroes Fighting Hunger

In a heartwarming initiative, Meijer has announced the recipients of its Hunger Relief Hero Award, recognizing 18 extraordinary volunteers from across the Midwest who have made significant contributions to combat hunger in their communities. The award honors those whose tireless efforts provide essential support to individuals facing food insecurity. Each winner will receive a $500 Meijer gift card, a commemorative plaque, and a $5,000 donation directed to the nonprofit organization that nominated them.

Vik Srinivasan, Managing Director of Meijer, expressed enthusiasm about this initiative, stating, "The Hunger Relief Hero Award highlights the dedication and impact of volunteers working relentlessly to tackle food insecurity. We received nearly 400 nominations, reflecting the incredible neighbors who serve our communities daily. We are excited to recognize those who dedicate their time and energy to nourish the hungry in the Midwest and the meaningful differences they are making for their neighbors in need."

The recipients were chosen based on their volunteer commitment, the positive impacts of their consistent service, and their ability to inspire others to join the fight against food insecurity.

The 2026 Hunger Relief Hero Award Recipients:

1. Pat Pease, Volunteer at Vineyard Food Resource Center, Wickliffe, Ohio
2. Mary Fontaine, Volunteer at Food for Greater Elgin, Elgin, Illinois
3. Pat Westerman, Volunteer at Tri-County SOUL Pantry/Ministries, Cincinnati, Ohio
4. Tina Anderson, Volunteer at Pickerington Food Pantry, Pickerington, Ohio
5. Barb Nagel, Volunteer at St. Peter Food Pantry, Huber Heights, Ohio
6. Gloria Trammell, Volunteer at Storehouse of Hope Food Pantry, Detroit, Michigan
7. Tonya Jones, Volunteer at United Together Lupus Foundation, Saginaw, Michigan
8. Nayda Miller, Volunteer at Grabill Food Bank, Grabill, Indiana
9. John 'Skip' Obermeyer, Volunteer at God's Kitchen/Catholic Charities West Michigan, Grand Rapids, Michigan
10. Robin Wagner, Volunteer at McCordsville United Methodist Church Food Pantry, McCordsville, Indiana
11. Tom Blaising, Volunteer at People Helping People, Pullman, Michigan
12. Marty Morrison, Volunteer at King's Kupboard, Hillsdale, Michigan
13. Maria Miles, Volunteer at Jacob's Ladder Outreach, Mount Washington, Kentucky
14. Don Stewart, Volunteer at Sussex Outreach Services, Sussex, Wisconsin
15. Ken Jania, Volunteer at Trinity Food Pantry, South Bend, Indiana
16. Carol Olson, Volunteer at St. James Pantry, Danville, Illinois
17. Sheryl Levin, Volunteer at Jewish Senior, Family, and Social Services, Sylvania, Ohio
18. Rebecca Brown, Volunteer at Otsego County Food Pantry, Gaylord, Michigan

Each honored volunteer will be celebrated at a local recognition event alongside their nominators and members of the Meijer team.

This award is a testament to Meijer’s commitment to fighting hunger year-round throughout the Midwest. Through collaborations with local food banks, consistent donations, and community programs, Meijer remains dedicated to supporting families in need and working together for lasting change. This award program further solidifies Meijer's efforts to ensure all individuals have access to nutritious food and promotes a healthier community for all.

About Meijer

Meijer is a family-owned retail company that operates over 500 hypermarkets, grocery stores, neighborhood markets, and express locations throughout the Midwest. As a pioneer in the one-stop shopping concept, over 70,000 members of the Meijer team strive to provide a pleasant shopping experience, both in-store and online, offering a wide range of fresh foods, quality clothing, essentials, and health and wellness products. Meijer is consistently recognized as a "Great Place to Work" and donates at least 6% of its profits annually to uplift its communities. For more information about the company, visit newsroom.meijer.com.