HOMER, Mich. - PS Food Mart convenience stores across Michigan and Ohio are launching a new program called "Fight Hunger. Give Hope." The goal of the campaign is to raise $30,000 for the PS Food Mart Charities and the Food Bank of South Central Michigan and Toledo Northwest Ohio Food Bank.

From March 15 to 31, customers are invited to purchase a $1 or $5 paper heart in any of the 29 PS Food Mart stores across South Central Michigan and Northwest Ohio. PS Food Mart Charities will make a cash donation to both local food banks at the conclusion of the fundraiser to ensure needy local families can receive a healthy, nutritious meal.

"It's amazing how much good a dollar can do," said Jim Linton, project manager with PS Food Mart. "A one-dollar donation will provide eight meals. Five dollars will ensure that 40 people don't go to bed hungry. We wanted to find a way to make it easy for the folks that stop at any of the 29 PS Food Mart stores to help others who are less fortunate. We know our customers care about their neighbors, and this program will allow them to do something small that will make a big difference."

PS Food Mart Stores recently established the PS Food Mart Charities, a non-profit organization that is running the "Fight Hunger. Give Hope." campaign. Previous recipients of PS Food Mart charitable campaigns include the American Cancer Society, Homer (Michigan) Area Community Foundation and the local chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which received $40,000 from PS Food Mart in 2009.

"The financial support given by PS Food Mart Charities and their customers will be vital to help us maintain our operations and ensure local families don't have to choose between food on the table or a roof over their head," said Robert Randels, executive director of the Food Bank of South Central Michigan. "We will be able to continue to serve more than 100,000 people each year across eight counties in South Central Michigan with nutritious, healthy meals."