Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give Raised $850,000 to Feed Hungry Families

PRESS RELEASE

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Representatives with the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give today deemed the third annual tournament a success with an $850,000 donation to the retailer’s Simply Give program, which restocks the shelves of its food pantry partners across the Midwest. South Korean LPGA professional Sei Young Kim took home the trophy at the LPGA Tour event, which took place at Blythefield Country Club June 16-19, but the real winners are the families who will benefit from the donation.

“Thanks to the great weather and enthusiastic crowds, the third annual Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give was a complete success and will continue improving the quality of life in the Midwest,” Meijer Co-Chairman Doug Meijer said. “The difference all of this support has made is tremendous because this week was about more than just golf. It was an opportunity for the entire community to enjoy great athletic competition while supporting a very important cause — feeding the hungry.”

“On behalf of everyone at Meijer, we congratulate Sei Young Kim on a great win at the Meijer LPGA Classic,” Meijer President Rick Keyes said. “It was a fantastic end to a wonderful week. This year’s tournament was once again fully embraced by the community.”

While attendance figures are not yet available, representatives said the tournament continued to exceed expectations.

In total, the three tournaments generated more than $2.1 million for the Meijer Simply Give program.

Meijer started Simply Give in November 2008 and has since generated nearly $22 million for its food pantry partners. The contributions donated as a result of the Meijer LPGA Classic are due, in large part, to the generous Meijer customers who attended the tournament week events, and the sponsors who helped make the event a success.

The $850,000 donation will be divided among the retailer’s more than 200 food pantry partners participating in the spring Simply Give campaign, which ended today.

“The Meijer Simply Give program is extremely important to our food pantry because it helps us to provide healthy and nutritious food to our neighbors,” said Waverly Knight, a director of the Northwest Food Pantry. “Without the program, our food pantry shelves would be very empty. We thank Meijer for their willingness to have the Simply Give program and the community for their support in helping feed those in need.”

A crowd of enthusiastic fans lined the ropes at Blythefield Country Club June 16-19 to watch a competitive field of 144 world-class golfers play 72 holes of stroke play. Ultimately, Sei Young Kim claimed the title as the Meijer LPGA Classic champion after a one hole playoff, making this her sixth LPGA Tour victory and her second win this year.

Kim said this tournament was extra special because her dad was watching in the stands on Father’s Day.

“I’m very happy to on the Father’s Day give it to my dad … this trophy,” she said. “I played with Lexi Thompson last defending champion, so I’m very honored to play with her. She’s a great competitor.”