Kroger’s Central Division Continues Education Grant
The Kroger Co.’s Central division has extended its grant support of Teachers Treasures for a third year, strengthening support of the decade-old nonprofit organization. With the addition of merchandise and other engineering assistance, Kroger has provided more than $245,600 to Teachers Treasures — a group that provides teachers with donated educational supplies for use in classrooms — over the past three years.
Cash support in 2010 will be a total of $25,000, following grants of $25,000 each in 2009 and 2008. Since 2007, Cincinnati-based Kroger also has provided the use of a former store location and maintenance support of that building valued at an additional $40,000 per year. Over the past three years, Kroger also has donated $25,000 in merchandise, work by the company’s facility engineering team worth more than $25,000, and a used semi-trailer valued at $600. This brings Kroger’s three-year support of Teachers Treasures to more than $245,600.
“Strong support of education is an important responsibility for every corporate citizen,” said Kroger Central Division director of finance Tom Cebulko. “Kroger associates also are parents and grandparents who are involved in, and concerned about, their children’s education. Our decision to further strengthen our historical support of education going back more than 100 years is motivated by two priorities: improving the educational opportunities available to our children and building the best possible workforce for our future.”
While Cebulko acknowledged that education-related challenges or barriers wouldn’t be removed overnight, he noted: “We are very optimistic that an ambitious long-term strategy with measureable milestones will be successful .…We intend to strengthen our local education partnerships in as many local communities as possible.”
The grants are part of larger $2.1 million K-12 education strategy launched by Kroger’s Central Division in January 2009. The strategy includes over $620,000 in commitments to 10 partner organizations with exceptional education programs, plus $100,000 per year to fund core skill enhancement grants to local schools and an estimated $650,000 per year for local schools through the “Kroger Cares” program.
The Kroger Central Division has 150 food stores, 123 pharmacies and 58 fuel centers operating under five banners; Kroger, Scott’s, Owen’s, Hilander and Pay Less, with locations primarily in Indiana and Illinois, in addition to five stores in Missouri, one in Michigan and one in Ohio.
Cash support in 2010 will be a total of $25,000, following grants of $25,000 each in 2009 and 2008. Since 2007, Cincinnati-based Kroger also has provided the use of a former store location and maintenance support of that building valued at an additional $40,000 per year. Over the past three years, Kroger also has donated $25,000 in merchandise, work by the company’s facility engineering team worth more than $25,000, and a used semi-trailer valued at $600. This brings Kroger’s three-year support of Teachers Treasures to more than $245,600.
“Strong support of education is an important responsibility for every corporate citizen,” said Kroger Central Division director of finance Tom Cebulko. “Kroger associates also are parents and grandparents who are involved in, and concerned about, their children’s education. Our decision to further strengthen our historical support of education going back more than 100 years is motivated by two priorities: improving the educational opportunities available to our children and building the best possible workforce for our future.”
While Cebulko acknowledged that education-related challenges or barriers wouldn’t be removed overnight, he noted: “We are very optimistic that an ambitious long-term strategy with measureable milestones will be successful .…We intend to strengthen our local education partnerships in as many local communities as possible.”
The grants are part of larger $2.1 million K-12 education strategy launched by Kroger’s Central Division in January 2009. The strategy includes over $620,000 in commitments to 10 partner organizations with exceptional education programs, plus $100,000 per year to fund core skill enhancement grants to local schools and an estimated $650,000 per year for local schools through the “Kroger Cares” program.
The Kroger Central Division has 150 food stores, 123 pharmacies and 58 fuel centers operating under five banners; Kroger, Scott’s, Owen’s, Hilander and Pay Less, with locations primarily in Indiana and Illinois, in addition to five stores in Missouri, one in Michigan and one in Ohio.