Why We Give: Meijer Supports Riley Behavioral Health

Meijer is a family-owned retailer committed to enriching lives in communities throughout the company’s footprint in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. As the company grows, it follows a simple philosophy established by co-founder Fred Meijer: “Take care of your customers, team members and community … and all of them will take care of you, just like a family.”

Mental health is a growing crisis for children, with more than 90,000 Hoosiers between the ages of 12-17 suffering from a mental health issue. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Meijer joined with Riley Children’s Foundation to make a focused effort to raise support and awareness for pediatric behavioral health.

The $25,000 Meijer donation to the Riley Children’s Health Pediatric Behavioral Health program, part of the matching gift co-sponsored with local real estate firm F.C. Tucker, helped Riley provide care for kids in Indiana with a wide variety of behavioral health needs.

“Meijer is committed to helping families with health and wellness, and we know that emotional support of youth is imperative to building confidence and supporting future mental health,” said Maureen Mitchell, Regional Vice President at Meijer. “The work that Riley does in our community is so important, and their incredible team is providing lifesaving care and compassion to kids in Indiana and beyond.”

The Meijer donation has helped the team at Riley Children’s Health ensure kids and teens have access to mental health resources when and where they need them. Initiatives Riley is working on include helping grow their number of mental health professionals; the implementation of innovative technology to improve access to care in rural and underserved communities; offering access to mental health resources in a trusted and familiar setting, like a pediatrician’s office; and providing immediate support for kids in a mental health crisis, as 500 families call Riley each week seeking outpatient mental health care for a child.

“Meijer cares deeply about the communities we serve, especially the health and wellbeing of the kids and families who live in them,” Meijer Senior Director of Community Partnership and Giving Cathy Cooper said. “We’re honored to have helped the team at Riley provide care for more kids and families who need it, and we hope to continue this great partnership.”

To the Meijer family, we sincerely appreciate your generous donation to support Riley’s response to the youth mental health crisis. It is because of contributions such as yours that Riley is able to provide the necessary resources to children and families in need. Our Riley families thank you.