CINCINNATI, May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) is committing $250,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to assist storm and flood relief efforts in communities across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and other affected areas in the Southeast.

"We hope that providing food and water to local food banks and financial support to the Red Cross will help our associates and customers rebuild their communities in the aftermath of these devastating storms," said Lynn Marmer, group vice president of corporate affairs for Kroger.

Of the $250,000 commitment, Kroger is providing $150,000 in both cash and in-kind support, prioritizing food contributions to local Feeding America food banks to assist residents as demand increases.

In addition, The Kroger Co. Foundation will provide the American Red Cross up to $100,000 in cash to match customer donations collected at the register in several hundred Kroger stores.

Kroger stores in the impacted regions and the Cincinnati area are helping customers donate in different ways, including coin boxes and "rounding up" at registers.

About Kroger

Kroger, the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 338,000 associates who serve customers in 2,458 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The Company also operates 786 convenience stores, 361 fine jewelry stores, 1,014 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the U.S. Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local organizations in the communities it serves. For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.