Kroger Fights Hunger During the Holidays
Many hungry families will have fresh, wholesome food this holiday season thanks to the Kroger Co. and customers and associates who shop and work at its family of stores.
Kroger has focused on feeding the hungry for decades, partnering with local food banks, Feeding America and other organizations. Now, customers who shop at any of Kroger’s family of stores can help by taking advantage of simple donation opportunities while they shop.
Making a financial donation to a local food bank is as easy as scanning a pre-marked tag or asking the cashier to “round up” a grocery order. Customers can take advantage of this option in all Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Fry’s, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s stores.
Pre-filled bags of nutritious food can be purchased and added to collection barrels at Kroger stores in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, and QFC stores in Washington and Oregon.
Specially marked coin boxes will collect spare change at check stands at Kroger stores in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas, and in all City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, Fry’s, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s stores.
A number of stores across the country will host major food drives on site, partnering with local media outlets to raise awareness and much-needed food for local hunger agencies.
“The rising number of families struggling to put wholesome food on the table today is sobering,” said Lynn Marmer, Feeding America group VP. “Kroger’s local food bank partners are bracing for record demand during the holiday season. Our support helps these organizations feed thousands of families every day.”
The company donated 50 million pounds of food valued at more than $75 million in 2009, which translates into roughly 42 million meals for hungry families. During the past five years, Kroger and its family of stores have donated 560 million meals to local food banks.