Kroger to Donate 30 Million Meals to Local Food Banks During Season of Giving

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Nov 24, 2014, 01:37 ET

CINCINNATI, Nov. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- During this Season of Giving, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) is donating 30 million meals to local food banks and providing simple donation opportunities for customers and associates who shop and work at its family of stores.

"Kroger has a proud history of feeding hungry neighbors in our communities and a rich tradition of bringing help and hope for the holidays," said Lynn Marmer, Kroger's group vice president of corporate affairs. "We invite our customers, associates and communities to join in our Season of Giving by supporting their local food banks as well as The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign in our stores this holiday season."

Feeding Hungry Neighbors

As a founding partner of Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger agency, Kroger has been engaged in the hunger relief effort for more than 30 years. Today the Kroger family of stores works directly with more than 100 local food banks. Our customers and associates are partners in this commitment. In 2013, nearly $7 million was generated at Kroger's family of stores to help feed local families during the holidays.

This holiday season, customers can help, again, thanks to a variety of simple donation opportunities in stores. Customers are encouraged to visit www.BringingHopetotheTable.com where they can simply enter their zip code to learn how their stores will make it easy for them to support their neighbors in need.

Supporting The Salvation Army

Customers should look for The Salvation Army's iconic red kettles at the Kroger family of stores from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. Each year, customers and associates generously support The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign that provides food, clothing, toys and social services in the communities where funds are raised.

In 2013, Kroger customers and associates contributed $13.5 million to the campaign, which represents 10% of the total raised nationwide. All funds collected are used locally in the community where the donations are raised. The Red Kettle Campaign enables The Salvation Army to assist 30 million Americans in more than 5,000 communities across the country. Since 2007, more than $85 million has been raised at Kroger family stores.

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 375,000 associates who serve customers in 2,638 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 785 convenience stores, 324 fine jewelry stores, 1,275 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million Dollar Club.

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SOURCE The Kroger Co.