What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? We all have so much to be thankful for and so much we take for granted in the daily rat race. Take some time every day and slow things down and think about all the blessings you have.
This time of the year, MIRA is focused on our Annual “High Five” Turkey Drive. Thirty four years ago, we started this drive by donating 17 turkeys. Our board of directors have always emphasized that even though MIRA is a non-profit, we need to do our part in helping other non-profits feed people in need. This year, we are trying to raise enough money for 6,000 turkeys which would feed over 60,000 people. However, we need your help more than ever. Turkey prices have gone up once again and we have fewer people donating this year. Please consider donating to the MIRA Turkey Drive and help feed someone who is less fortunate. Our drive donates turkeys in the Detroit Metro, Lansing, Cleveland and Columbus areas.
MIRA is also embarking on a new venture to benefit our Michigan members. Many of our liquor store members have contacted us upset about the Michigan Liquor Control Commission discontinuing their quarterly liquor price book. These prices will only be available online starting next year. MIRA has decided to publish the MLCC price book ourselves and distribute it to our members as another vendor benefit. Only MIRA members will receive this quarterly price book, so please let all your friends and colleagues in the industry know about this new benefit. Once again, MIRA has responded to what our members ask of us. The key is communication. We need to know what you would like us to do and what would make your lives easier.
In Ohio, MIRA is working on some amazing enhancements to our Liberty USA rebate program which will now give current Liberty USA customers the ability to receive even more chain rebates from more than ten major manufacturers. This is the first add-on program of its kind and could not be done without MIRA. Stay tuned for more information regarding these new rebates from Liberty USA.
Another opportunity for grocers and supermarkets in Michigan and Ohio is access to low interest loans using federal dollars through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI). If you are in an underserved community and would like to remodel your store or build a new store in an underserved area, we can connect you with people to fund your project. We already have a few members who are utilizing HFFI funding to the tune of over ten million dollars. These are loans, not grants, but these have given many people across the country access to funds outside the normal banking channels. Hundreds of independent retailers have used HFFI to open, remodel or expand their grocery stores. MIRA has been working to bring these funds to Michigan and Ohio for the past few years and is very excited we have projects that have been funded! If you are interested, please call me and I will connect you with the right people.
We have so much to be thankful for. Remember to share your blessings with others. MIRA wishes you and your families a very happy and safe Thanksgiving. God bless!
