SpartanNash Raises $300K for Military Heroes
Through the efforts of shoppers and company associates, the SpartanNash Foundation has raised $300,000 through its scan campaign to support military heroes and their families -- its most successful company-wide retail fundraising effort to date.
During the 12-day scan, store guests at any participating SpartanNash-owned retail store or fuel center in nine states had the opportunity to donate $1, $5 or $10 at any checkout lane, with 100 percent of dollars raised split evenly between the two nonprofit partner organizations.
“At SpartanNash, we are very excited about the overwhelming support shown for our military heroes during the latest SpartanNash Foundation retail scan – our most successful scan yet,” said Meredith Gremel, VP of corporate affairs and communications, and the executive director of the SpartanNash Foundation. “SpartanNash and the SpartanNash Foundation are deeply committed to supporting our military heroes in the communities we serve, and through our partnership with Give an Hour and Honor and Remember, we assisted in raising awareness and funds for military heroes and their loved ones, while honoring the sacrifices they have made for our freedom.”
The $150,000 that will be donated to Honor and Remember will allow the organization to provide outreach and personalized Honor and Remember flags to families of military heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Personalized Honor and Remember flags are regularly presented to families of fallen service members and contain the name, theater of operation and date of death of the individual. The flags are presented at both private and public occasions.
The $150,000 donation will enable Give an Hour to increase counseling and mental health services to military heroes, their families and communities affected by conflict abroad. In addition to pledging to “give an hour” of their time each week for direct counselling, the organization’s network of volunteer professionals participate in and lead education, training and outreach efforts in schools, communities and military bases so that all in need can seek and receive the care they deserve.
“On behalf of Give an Hour and the mental health professionals who volunteer to provide free mental health care, support and education to those who serve, their families and their communities across our country, I want to thank the SpartanNash Foundation, the SpartanNash Co.’s associates and all of the customers who supported this effort that resulted in this amazing gift of support,” said Barbara Van Dahlen, founder and president of Bethesda, Md.-based Give an Hour. “We are proud of the partnership we are building with SpartanNash – and excited to invite SpartanNash associates to learn more about our organization and join us as we work in your communities. We all have gifts to give that can help support our military and veteran communities.”
George Lutz, who founded Chesapeake, Va.-based Honor and Remember after losing his son in Iraq in 2005, said, “We are now approaching 3,000 flags given to families of the fallen, and your efforts are truly making a significant difference in their healing journey.”
In 2016, the SpartanNash Foundation launched its first-ever company-wide fundraising campaign to support its patriotic nonprofit partners. That inaugural campaign raised $182,000 to support military heroes.
“Each year, SpartanNash contributes thousands of dollars, products and volunteer hours to military and veterans' organizations and events, and we are proud to have teamed up with Give an Hour, Honor and Remember and our store guests to support our military heroes in this unique and powerful way,” Gremel said.
Grand Rapids, Mich.-based SpartanNash’s core businesses include distributing grocery products to independent grocery retailers, national accounts, its corporate-owned retail stores and U.S. military commissaries. SpartanNash serves customer locations in 47 states and the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Bahrain and Egypt. The company currently operates 150 supermarkets, primarily under the Family Fare Supermarkets, VG’s Food and Pharmacy, D&W Fresh Market, SunMart and Family Fresh Market banners.