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Meijer Announces the Hunger Relief Hero Award Winners

In an inspiring effort to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of volunteers fighting hunger in their communities, Meijer has revealed the 2026 recipients of the Meijer Hunger Relief Hero Award. This initiative celebrates individuals who go above and beyond, showcasing their dedication to alleviating food insecurity in the Midwest.

Honoring Local Heroes

Meijer's Hunger Relief Hero Award honors 18 outstanding volunteers whose efforts have significantly impacted their respective communities. Each awardee will receive a $500 Meijer gift card and a commemorative plaque. Additionally, the nonprofit organization that nominated each winner will receive a generous $5,000 donation in their honor. This initiative not only recognizes the hard work of these volunteers but also supports the nonprofits that play a crucial role in the fight against hunger.

Vik Srinivasan, Chief Administrative Officer at Meijer, emphasized the significance of these awards, highlighting, "The Meijer Hunger Relief Hero Award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to help ensure families across the Midwest have reliable access to nutritious food, while strengthening the local organizations they serve."

The Selection Process

The selection process for the award was highly competitive, with nearly 400 nominations received. This overwhelming response attests to the dedication and commitment of countless individuals working tirelessly to support their communities. Award recipients were chosen based on their commitment to volunteering, the substantial impact they have made, and their ability to inspire others to join the effort against food insecurity.

Meet the Award Recipients

The following individuals have been honored for their remarkable contributions:

• - Pat Pease – Vineyard Food Resource Center, Wickliffe, Ohio
• - Mary Fontaine – Food for Greater Elgin, Elgin, Illinois
• - Pat Westerman – Tri-County SOUL Pantry/Ministries, Cincinnati, Ohio
• - Tina Anderson – Pickerington Food Pantry, Pickerington, Ohio
• - Barb Nagel – St. Peter Food Pantry, Huber Heights, Ohio
• - Gloria Trammell – Storehouse of Hope Food Pantry, Detroit, Michigan
• - Tonya Jones – United Together Lupus Foundation, Saginaw, Michigan
• - Nayda Miller – Grabill Food Bank, Grabill, Indiana
• - **John