A local grocery chain has donated 16,600 pounds of chicken to several Michigan food banks in partnership with a poultry supplier.

Byron Center-based SpartanNash and Orland, Indiana-based Miller Poultry on Dec. 10 donated 8,000 pounds of chicken to Access of West Michigan and its network of local food pantries — including North Kent Connect, The Other Way Ministries, The Community Basket (Dutton), The Pantry, Northwest Food Pantry, St. Alphonsus, Flat River Outreach Ministries, Westminster Food Pantry, North End Community Ministries, UCOM, Streams of Hope and the Salvation Army.

The two companies then donated an additional 8,600 pounds of chicken to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan on Dec. 16.

The donations took place at the VG’s Grocery store in Fenton and the Metro Family Fare in Wyoming, both part of SpartanNash’s family of 155 retail stores. VG’s Grocery and Family Fare associates helped with the distribution of the donation.

“We are proud to carry Miller Poultry in our corporate-owned retail stores throughout the Midwest, and we are excited to once again team up with them to provide food to families in need this holiday season,” said Meredith Gremel, vice president of corporate affairs and communications, SpartanNash. “As a company that takes food places, we are committed to building stronger communities by ensuring every family has access to healthy, affordable food.”

SpartanNash and Miller Poultry have partnered on this holiday tradition since 2008, donating more than 125,000 pounds of chicken to help families in need throughout Michigan.

“This is an important initiative for Miller Poultry, and we are proud to have teamed up with SpartanNash to make these donations,” said Galen Miller, owner and CEO, Miller Poultry. “It is a blessing to share.”