Meijer and South Bend Cubs Partner with Food Bank to Provide Turkeys for Michiana

SOUTH BEND, IN – As the effects of COVID-19 continue to challenge families across Michiana, Meijer and the South Bend Cubs are partnering with the Food Bank of Northern Indiana to host a Drive-Thru Turkey Distribution in parking lot B of Four Winds Field on Thursday, February 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This distribution is part of a larger effort by Meijer to donate 50,000 frozen turkeys to 10 food banks across the Midwest. In Michiana, Meijer will provide turkeys for up to 2,000 households and the Food Bank will also provide up to 1,000 perishable food boxes for the first 1,000 attendees.

“Meijer has been a wonderful partner in the community and has continued to give even more throughout the pandemic,” said South Bend Cubs Team President Joe Hart. “Along with the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, they understand the hardships many families are facing and are doing what they can to help ease the burden. We are honored to play a small role in their good works.”

“We are so grateful for our partnership with Meijer and the South Bend Cubs and their commitment to feeding the hungry,” said Marijo Martinec, Executive Director and CEO of the Food Bank of Northern Indiana. “Protein is a luxury item at many food pantries and turkey is a versatile source of protein. At this time when so many are struggling to put food on the table, these turkeys will put smiles on so many faces.”

“Meijer cares about the communities we serve and we are pleased to stand beside the South Bend Cubs to donate turkeys to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana so they can help local families in need,” Mishawaka Meijer Store Director Jason Pursehouse said. “We know the coronavirus pandemic has made an impact on the lives of those who live here, and we wanted to do our part to help.”

Turkeys are limited to 1 per household, maximum of 4 households per vehicle. Anyone who plans to attend will need to abide by the following guidelines to ensure the health and safety of the community, staff, and volunteers:

• You must be in a vehicle to receive food, no exceptions, no walk-ups.
• You are required to clear the trunk of your vehicle before coming to the distribution.
• Please keep car windows closed and masks on while in the distribution line.

To enter the distribution line, vehicles must approach Lot B by traveling westbound on South Street and turning north onto Taylor Street. Vehicles will exit Lot B traveling northbound from Taylor Street to Western Avenue.

For additional food resources or to find a pantry near you, visit feedindiana.org.

About the South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs are the Class A-Advanced minor league affiliate of the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 33 years, the team has won four Midwest League titles, most recently in 2019, and has captured eight division titles. In 2019, the South Bend Cubs hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game. In June 2017, Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, was voted Best Class A ballpark in the country by Ballpark Digest. In 2015 the team was named Ballpark Digest's Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President's Award, the highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose principal shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, Ill.