Meijer has named 18 community volunteers as recipients of its annual Hunger Relief Hero Award, a program that recognizes those who have made significant contributions to fighting food insecurity in the Midwest.
Each honoree receives a $500 Meijer gift card and a commemorative plaque. The hunger-relief nonprofit that nominated them also gets a $5,000 donation in their honor.
The awards are part of Meijer’s efforts to address hunger, which include its Simply Give program, partnerships with local food banks and community giving.
2026 honorees
This year’s winners include a wide range of volunteers from across the region:
- Tina Anderson – Pickerington Food Pantry in Pickerington, Ohio;
- Tom Blaising – People Helping People in Pullman, Michigan;
- Rebecca Brown – Otsego County Food Pantry in Gaylord, Michigan.
- Mary Fontaine – Food for Greater Elgin in Elgin, Illinois;
- Ken Jania – Trinity Food Pantry in South Bend, Indiana;
- Tonya Jones – United Together Lupus Foundation in Saginaw, Michigan;
- Sheryl Levin – Jewish Senior, Family and Social Services in Sylvania, Ohio;
- Maria Miles – Jacob’s Ladder Outreach in Mount Washington, Kentucky;
- Nayda Miller – Grabill Food Bank in Grabill, Indiana;
- Marty Morrison – King’s Kupboard in Hillsdale, Michigan;
- Barb Nagel – St. Peter Food Pantry in Huber Heights, Ohio;
- John “Skip” Obermeyer – God’s Kitchen/Catholic Charities West Michigan in Grand Rapids, Michigan;
- Carol Olson – St. James Pantry in Danville, Illinois;
- Pat Pease – Vineyard Food Resource Center in Wickliffe, Ohio;
- Don Stewart – Sussex Outreach Services in Sussex, Wisconsin;
- Gloria Trammell – Storehouse of Hope Food Pantry in Detroit, Michigan;
- Robin Wagner – McCordsville United Methodist Church Food Pantry in McCordsville, Indiana; and
- Pat Westerman – Tri-County SOUL Pantry/Ministries in Cincinnati, Ohio.
“We received nearly 400 nominations, which is a true testament to the incredible neighbors who serve our communities every day,” said Vik Srinivasan, chief administrative officer at Meijer.
“We’re excited to recognize those who have dedicated their time and energy to feeding Midwest communities, and the meaningful difference they are making for neighbors in need.”