The 2025 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give ended on a high note—both on the golf course and in its mission to fight hunger. Held at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan, this year’s tournament raised an impressive $1.5 million for Meijer’s hunger relief programme, Simply Give. The funds will help stock food pantries across six Midwestern states.
The event also saw Spain’s Carlota Ciganda win her first LPGA title in over eight years, delivering a dramatic finish with back-to-back birdies on the final two holes. Her win ties her with Beatriz Recari as the most successful Spanish player in LPGA history.
A Champion Returns
Ciganda’s victory marks her third LPGA Tour title and first since 2016. “It feels amazing, obviously, after all these years,” she said. “I love coming here. It reminds me of Spain where I’m from. Very similar. Lots of trees, peaceful. I love the golf course.”
As part of a tournament tradition started in 2021, Meijer will donate $25,000 to a hunger relief organisation selected by Ciganda. Past winners have supported local causes in Michigan, including community food pantries and family service organisations.
Record-Breaking Community Impact
This year’s tournament set new records for:
- Fundraising: $1.5 million raised for hunger relief
- Volunteers: Over 1,400 people supported the event
- Attendance: The highest in tournament history
“This event keeps growing because it brings people together for a good cause,” said Rick Keyes, Meijer President and CEO. “We are proud of the impact this tournament makes across the Midwest.”
Fans were treated to four days of professional golf, family-friendly events, and food experiences. Local vendors and community groups joined on-site, turning the tournament into a regional celebration.
“The 2025 tournament was truly unforgettable,” said Cathy Cooper, Executive Director of the Meijer LPGA Classic. “It’s about more than golf—it’s about helping people in our communities.”
What Is Simply Give?
The Simply Give programme was launched by Meijer in 2008 to support food banks and pantries in the communities it serves. Customers can donate at checkout, and Meijer matches those donations during key fundraising campaigns.
This year’s $1.5 million will go to food pantries in:
- Michigan
- Ohio
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Wisconsin
The funds help stock shelves with fresh produce, canned goods, baby items, and culturally appropriate foods. Many of the supported families include children, elderly residents, and working households struggling to keep up with living costs.
In 2025, nearly 34 million people in the U.S. face food insecurity, according to Feeding America.
How the Community Got Involved
Leading up to the tournament, Meijer ran a region-wide campaign to promote awareness and donations. Special signs, in-store promotions, and digital messages helped encourage thousands of customers to give. Local pantries also hosted booths at the tournament, sharing their stories with attendees.
Some of this year’s funds will support summer hunger relief programmes—critical as children lose access to school meals. Others will fund pantry expansions and mobile delivery vans in rural areas.
“Food insecurity isn’t always visible, and events like this help bring the issue out into the open,” said a pantry volunteer at the event.
Additional Insight: Why This Event Matters to Retail Strategy
The Meijer LPGA Classic 2025 isn’t just a golf tournament—it’s a working example of how modern retailers are blending sport, community action, and brand trust into one meaningful platform. For Meijer, this tournament supports more than its own corporate responsibility goals. It also reflects how grocery retailers are positioning themselves as active players in solving real social issues, especially in their own regions.
The event brings together thousands of people not only to watch top-tier athletes but also to learn about food insecurity, connect with local service providers, and directly support causes they care about. For many visitors, it’s the first time they hear how food banks operate, or how hunger affects people in their neighbourhood.
From a strategic point of view, this kind of event helps Meijer build loyalty at the grassroots level. Shoppers who engage with Simply Give in-store are reminded at the tournament that their donation matters. That connection builds long-term customer trust and repeat participation—both in stores and in local initiatives.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Meijer LPGA Classic dates will be announced soon. With each year, the event grows not just in size, but in meaning.
Global Supermarket News will continue to cover how food retailers use their scale and platforms to lead on hunger, health, and social impact.
