HOMER, MI - Customers of the 29 PS Food Mart stores across South Central Michigan and Northwest Ohio helped to raise more than $50,000 for local charities in just two weeks during the PS Food Mart "Fight Hunger. Give Hope." campaign.

Between March 15 and 31, PS Food Mart employees encouraged patrons, vendors and friends to purchase paper hearts, with 100 percent of the purchase price going to local charities including the Food Bank of South Central Michigan and Toledo Northwest Ohio Food Bank. The total donations surpassed the original fundraising goal by more than $20,000.

"We are amazed by the generosity of our customers and our community who have given so much to help those in need. All money raised will stay in the local communities, so it really is neighbors helping neighbors," said Jim Linton, project manager with PS Food Mart, in a press release. "The 'Fight Hunger. Give Hope.?? program was the first effort of the new PS Food Mart Charity and we couldn??t have asked for a better way to kick off our initiative than with this success."

The PS Food Mart on Cooper Street in Jackson, Michigan, led the fundraising efforts. Employees of this store went above and beyond to rally their customers, vendors, and members of the community. This single location raised more than $4,000 for their community.

"As a local business, we are part of the fabric of our community, and to us that carries a responsibility to help your neighbors," said Tracy Peltcs, manager of the Cooper Street PS Food Mart Store. "We are honored that so many other people decided to pitch in, often one dollar at a time, to help families in need."