Indianapolis, Indiana – The IvyCares Food Pantry at Ivy Tech Indianapolis is celebrating another successful partnership with Meijer’s Simply Give program, which continues to make a meaningful impact on students and their families struggling with food insecurity. Thanks to this collaboration, the pantry received much-needed food-only gift cards that will help ensure that members of the campus community have access to nutritious meals.
On October 5, IvyCares was presented with a $780 donation from Meijer as part of the latest Simply Give hunger relief campaign, which ran through September 27. According to program organizers, that contribution will help provide approximately 3,120 meals for student families in need. When added to an earlier $2,500 donation Meijer made to Ivy Tech Indianapolis in September, the campus has now received a total of $3,280 in support from the Midwest-based retailer in recent months.
The IvyCares food pantry plays a crucial role in addressing food insecurity among college students, an issue that continues to affect campuses nationwide. Many students juggle school, jobs, and family responsibilities, leaving little room in their budgets for groceries. The pantry helps fill that gap by ensuring students have access to essential food items and household supplies, allowing them to focus more on their education and less on financial stress.
“We are incredibly thankful to Meijer and to everyone who contributed to the Simply Give campaign,” said representatives from IvyCares. “This donation will make a real difference for our students and their families. It allows us to continue fulfilling our mission to provide resources that support student success both inside and outside the classroom.”
The Meijer Simply Give program, which has been running for several years, continues to stand out as a community-driven initiative designed to fight hunger throughout the Midwest. Through this program, customers can participate by purchasing $10 Simply Give donation cards during designated campaign periods. Each card purchased is then converted by Meijer into a food-only gift card and donated directly to a local food pantry selected by that store.
This unique model does more than just supply funding — it helps foster a sense of community responsibility and partnership. By involving customers directly, Meijer transforms a simple grocery trip into an opportunity for individuals to make a meaningful contribution to hunger relief in their own neighborhoods.
“The Meijer Simply Give program is truly a blessing because, with each campaign, it feeds hungry families by replenishing the shelves of more than 270 food pantries in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin,” IvyCares noted. “However, the program goes above and beyond simply writing a check. It fosters a sense of social responsibility by encouraging customers to grab a $10 Simply Give donation card, which is then converted into a Meijer food-only gift card and given to the local food pantry selected by the store.”
The success of this initiative depends not only on Meijer’s contributions but also on the generosity of shoppers who take part in each campaign. Ivy Tech officials extended their appreciation to everyone who helped spread the word about the effort — from community partners to local residents and students who supported the drive at the Keystone Avenue Meijer location.
In recent years, the IvyCares food pantry has become a lifeline for many within the Ivy Tech Indianapolis community, ensuring that no student has to choose between paying for books and putting food on the table. Donations like the ones received from Meijer’s Simply Give campaign help sustain that mission throughout the academic year.
“IvyCares is truly grateful for this opportunity and hopes our partnership with Meijer will continue to thrive in the future,” the organization shared.
With continued community support and collaborations like this one, IvyCares remains steadfast in its mission to combat food insecurity and create a stronger, more caring campus for all.
