Kroger Supports Texas and Louisiana Community Groups With $1 Million Donation

DALLAS and HOUSTON, July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past three years, the Kroger Southwest Division has awarded $3 million to thousands of Texas and Louisiana organizations through its Neighbor-to-Neighbor program. Since 2008, Kroger has given 501(c) (3) non-profits, churches, synagogues and schools (K-12) the opportunity to enroll in the program to receive a percentage of the $1 million it awards annually.

"As the market share leader among grocers in Dallas and Houston, Kroger has the ability to positively impact the neighborhoods we serve through donations, monetary contributions and volunteerism," says Bill Breetz, president of the Kroger Southwest Division. "The Neighbor-to-Neighbor program is just one way we make a difference. It's a great program that not only makes it easy for deserving organizations to raise capital but it also allows shoppers to give back effortlessly."

When shoppers link their Kroger Plus card to a participating group, each time they shop a portion of their sale is contributed to the Neighbor-to-Neighbor fund. Community groups are awarded a percentage of the payout that reflects the number of qualifying purchases during the program year. For the 2010-2011 period, more than 2,000 organizations earned funds, including the Allen Elementary PTA in Frisco, Texas.

"Our school earned $8,525 during the 2010-2011 school year by enrolling in Kroger's Neighbor-to-Neighbor program and we refer to it as 'free money'," says Sarah Lynn Gamble, community partners chair for the Allen Elementary PTA. "We love partnering with area businesses to raise money and Kroger makes it easy to involve our families and friends in the process. The program gives us the ability to purchase needed materials for teachers and support a variety of student education initiatives. With ongoing cutbacks in the school system, programs like Neighbor-to-Neighbor truly help."

Kroger is currently accepting new applicants for the 2011-2012 program year. Every year groups must enroll to be an active participant, including those who have participated previously. Additionally, supporting customers need to re-link their Kroger Plus card to their charity of choice each year. This year, organizations must enroll by December 31, 2011 to be eligible to accrue money. Registered groups will have the opportunity to accumulate funds through April 30, 2012.

Kroger takes pride in being a community partner and is committed to building strong alliances with organizations that are dedicated to enriching the lives of others.

To learn more about the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program and how to get involved, visit www.krogerneighbortoneighbor.com, YouTube or a Kroger store.

About Kroger – The Kroger Southwest Division operates 208 stores, 198 pharmacies and 102 fuel centers in Texas and Louisiana and is part of one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains serving customers in 31 states. For more than 125 years Kroger has emphasized a customer-first approach to providing quality products, value pricing, outstanding service and an exceptional shopping experience. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, the supermarket retailer is dedicated to making a difference in the communities it serves by supporting hunger relief, education, women's health and wellness, and diversity programs. For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com.

CONTACTS:
Kristal Howard
[email protected]
713-299-6863 cell; 713-507-6191 direct

Rebecca King
[email protected]
972-439-4889 cell; 713-507-4809 direct

SOURCE Kroger Southwest