GMA and Kroger Tee Up for Hunger Relief
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Grocery Manufacturers of America here is joining forces with the Kroger Co. to support America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network during the hunger relief organization's 25th anniversary. The two groups will host a charity golf tournament benefiting America's Second Harvest during GMA's MSM (Marketing Sales Merchandising) Conference, Oct. 11, at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The trade association plans to host the MSM Golf Tournament on an annual basis to raise funds for America's Second Harvest, and hopes to continue to attract retailer support, GMA spokeswoman Stephanie Childs told Progressive Grocer. GMA has partnered with retailers in the past for other events, she noted.
The premier tournament will feature Jane Blalock of the senior LPGA Tour. A portion of each player's registration fee for the tournament will be donated to America's Second Harvest.
"We hope all of the attendees at the MSM Conference will participate," said Childs.
Kroger is equally enthused about the event. "Because we're in the food business, Kroger has long been a leading supporter of hunger relief programs in America," said Mike Ellis, Kroger group v.p., grocery, drug/general merchandise and pharmacy merchandising and procurement, in a statement.
In 2004, GMA member companies helped America's Second Harvest distribute approximately 2 billion pounds of food and grocery products to 23 million people, including 9 million children. Since 1986, Kroger has supported America's Second Harvest by donating more than $500,000 and providing approximately 25 million pounds of food annually.
GMA's MSM Conference, which will take place Oct. 10-12, 2005, is an annual event attended by merchandising executives from all channels of retail distribution and sales, and marketing executives from the CPG industry. The conference provides executives with new insight into how they can maximize their marketing, sales, and merchandising strategies.
The trade association plans to host the MSM Golf Tournament on an annual basis to raise funds for America's Second Harvest, and hopes to continue to attract retailer support, GMA spokeswoman Stephanie Childs told Progressive Grocer. GMA has partnered with retailers in the past for other events, she noted.
The premier tournament will feature Jane Blalock of the senior LPGA Tour. A portion of each player's registration fee for the tournament will be donated to America's Second Harvest.
"We hope all of the attendees at the MSM Conference will participate," said Childs.
Kroger is equally enthused about the event. "Because we're in the food business, Kroger has long been a leading supporter of hunger relief programs in America," said Mike Ellis, Kroger group v.p., grocery, drug/general merchandise and pharmacy merchandising and procurement, in a statement.
In 2004, GMA member companies helped America's Second Harvest distribute approximately 2 billion pounds of food and grocery products to 23 million people, including 9 million children. Since 1986, Kroger has supported America's Second Harvest by donating more than $500,000 and providing approximately 25 million pounds of food annually.
GMA's MSM Conference, which will take place Oct. 10-12, 2005, is an annual event attended by merchandising executives from all channels of retail distribution and sales, and marketing executives from the CPG industry. The conference provides executives with new insight into how they can maximize their marketing, sales, and merchandising strategies.