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Shepherd's Gate Food Pantry in Westfield, Indiana, is witnessing a significant impact from community support through the Meijer Simply Give program. The pantry, which previously served 700 people monthly, now assists over 2,000 individuals and faces increasing demand.
The Simply Give program has been instrumental in aiding Shepherd's Gate, operated by St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, to meet these growing needs throughout the year. Maureen Walker, a volunteer at Shepherd's Gate who coordinates the Simply Give food drives for the church, stated: “It’s made a huge difference. The support lets us run two drives a year, in the spring and around the holidays. It makes a huge difference in what we’re able to provide.”
Simply Give allows customers to contribute by adding a $10 card at checkout that becomes a Meijer food-only gift card for designated food pantries. This initiative provides an easy way for shoppers to support their local communities.
In spring of this year, Shepherd's Gate achieved its most successful Simply Give drive yet, raising $31,000 to assist families within Westfield. Summer Duncan, Westfield Store Director for Meijer remarked: “Knowing that we can help our neighbors through challenging times, especially during the holiday season is something our entire team takes pride in.”
Walker emphasized Meijer's contribution: “Meijer is incredible when it comes to supporting our community,” she said. “They don’t have to but they genuinely want to. It makes a world of difference.”
The program also encourages involvement from St. Maria Goretti parish members and students who organize monthly food drives and purchase Simply Give cards as part of their citizenship education.
With Thanksgiving approaching quickly, Shepherd's Gate continues its annual Thanksgiving food box donation program where parishioners deliver meals directly to families needing assistance during this festive time.
“They [Meijer] have been a huge support to our community and our pantry,” Walker added. “It would be very difficult to provide the services we do without this additional boost."
