Kroger Partners With USO to Support Service Members and Their Families

CINCINNATI, June 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) is pleased to partner with the USO to thank the men and women of the armed forces and their families.

Through mid-August, customers and associates at participating locations of the Kroger family of stores will be able to show their appreciation and gratitude to service members by donating spare change in specially-marked coin boxes at check stands. All of the funds raised will support the broad range of programs and services the USO provides to military personnel and their families.

The campaign will run in select Kroger stores in Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas; in Ralphs and Food 4 Less stores in California; in Dillon Stores in Kansas and Missouri; and in Baker's stores in Nebraska. Roughly 1,300 stores will participate.

"We are delighted Kroger provided this special opportunity to the USO," said Sloan Gibson, USO president and CEO. "We appreciate their continued support to the troops and their families through this creative initiative."

A private, nonprofit organization, the USO has been providing programs and services to enhance the quality of life for military personnel and their families for 69 years. Currently, the USO operates more than 160 locations in 11 countries (including the U.S.) and 23 states.

"We are deeply indebted to our service members and their families for the many sacrifices they make on a daily basis on behalf of all Americans.  Kroger is honored to partner with the USO to thank our military families for all they do," said Lynn Marmer, group vice president of Corporate Affairs for Kroger.

Kroger, the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 334,000 associates who serve customers in 2,470 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 779 convenience stores, 375 fine jewelry stores, 909 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

The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America's troops and their families.  We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases around the world, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services tailored to meet troop needs.  We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops and their families, wounded warriors and their families, and the families of the fallen.

The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency; we rely on the generosity of our donors.  In addition to individual donors and other corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners American Airlines, AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Gallery Furniture, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation and TriWest Healthcare Alliance, as well as other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381).  We strive to deliver maximum benefit for troops and their families from every donor dollar.  For more information, please visit www.uso.org.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.