Through customer donations matched by the store, the Alpena Meijer raised $21,560 for St. Vincent de Paul of Alpena, the store said recently.

Through the store’s Simply Give program, Meijer matches shoppers’ donations, sometimes doubling its match to turn a resident’s $10 donation into $30 for St. Vincent de Paul.

“That just shows you how understanding and giving our community is,” said Cathy McClure, pantry coordinator at St. Vincent de Paul. “It’s been very, very helpful to the community.”

The Alpena fundraising was part of more than $7.6 million raised at Meijer stores across the Midwest through Simply Give. That equates to 76 million meals for food pantries across the Midwest. According to Feeding America, $1 equals 10 meals.

McClure told Lifestyles editor Darby Hinkley that the St. Vincent pantry recorded more than 112,000 visits for food pick-up in 2020. Because families can come once per month, that number may account for the same people multiple times.

“We’re very fortunate that we’re able to do this,” McClure said.

We’re very fortunate to have the pantry here in town, and fortunate to have a company and especially a citizenry that is so generous.

Thanks to all involved. This kind of news makes the silver lining in the gray of the coronavirus pandemic shine brighter.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)