Procter and Gamble Partners with Kroger to Support USO to Help American Troops and Their Families

ARLINGTON, Va., May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Kroger and its family of stores have joined together to support the USO in its mission to help American troops and their families. Through the partnership Kroger will donate $250,000 to the USO.  The USO has a 70-year history of delivering innovative programs, critical services, and entertainment events to lift the spirits of America's troops and their families.  With more than 160 locations worldwide the USO touches America's military and their families millions of times each year.

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The kick-off of Honoring Our Heroes, Kroger's USO support campaign, coincides with a Mega Event sales promotion through which customers at participating stores receive $5 instantly at check out when they purchase ten participating Mega Event items. Kroger shoppers can also receive additional savings on P&G products by redeeming P&G BrandSAVER coupons at Kroger's family of  supermarkets across the country, including Kroger, Ralph's, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Smith's, Fry's, King Soopers, Dillons, QFC, City Market, Jay stores and retailers nationwide.

"The Kroger family is delighted to partner with P&G and to support the USO and its many programs and services for our troops and their families," said Lynn Marmer, group vice president of Corporate Affairs for Kroger. "Our Honoring our Heroes program will help the USO assist even more men and women who serve our country."

As part of the partnership Kroger and P&G have created a digital opportunity to virtually "shake the hand of a hero" – the proper gesture to use with US troops in uniform to thank them for their service to our country. The first 50,000 people to utilize the web application to shake a hero's hand on www.honoringourheroes.com will receive a special offer on one of the following P&G brands:  Tide, Downy, Gillette, Pantene, Old Spice and Prilosec.

"This year alone, more than 50,000 troops will be returning home from active duty – having done their part to help keep our country and its citizens safe," said Mindy Thompson-Sherwood, P&G Kroger Team Leader.  "This program allows us to help consumers express their own gratitude to all the men and women who make such great sacrifices for our country."

"We work every day through proven, cost-effective programs and services to relieve the tremendous burden our men and women in uniform shoulder on behalf of our nation." said Sloan Gibson, USO president.  "That is why partnerships with corporations like Kroger and P&G are so critical to our ongoing successes."

For more information on the Kroger and USO partnership, visit www.honoringourheroes.com.

About the USO

The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America's troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide.  We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. 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 volunteers and 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, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Procter & Gamble and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381).  To join us in this patriotic mission and to learn more about the USO, please visit www.uso.org.

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 is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com.

About Procter & Gamble

Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun® and Fusion®. The P&G community includes approximately 135,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

SOURCE Procter & Gamble