KROGER SUPPORTS COMMUNITY HARVEST FOOD BANK

The Kroger Company presented a cash contribution and an entire truckload of donated food to the Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana in Fort Wayne on Wednesday, July 18. At approximately 11:00 AM, Kroger representatives made a surprise donation of $12,000 to the food bank. A truckload of food donated by Kellogg Company was supposed to arrive at the food bank at the same time but was delayed. The transportation cost for the food was donated by Kroger as part of a nationwide partnership with Kellogg Company and America’s Second Harvest Food Banks. The combined value of the food and transportation exceeds $40,000.

According to Kroger’s Central Division President Bob Moeder, “Fort Wayne is a very important market for our company. Our Kroger and Scott’s stores are pleased to combine their efforts in support of the Community Harvest Food Bank’s efforts. We have a long history of charitable support in the Fort Wayne community and we are very proud of the passionate commitment Kroger and Scott’s associates have for relieving hunger.”

Hunger relief is one of four national charitable priorities for The Kroger Co. under a program called “Bringing Hope to the Table” which supports 86 food banks within the America’s Second Harvest national network. Kroger has partnered with Second Harvest for more than 25 years. Kroger’s Central Division supported six food banks in Indiana and two in Rockford and Peoria, Illinois during 2006 with more than $150,000 in cash contributions, $50,000 in donated transportation, $109,000 in event support and more than $903,000 in donated food. In addition to $1.2 million given to these food banks in Indianapolis, Anderson, South Bend, Fort Wayne and Bloomington, Indiana, the company has added support of the Lafayette Food Finders food bank in 2007. Kroger actively engages its customers and the communities in which its employees live and work in its hunger relief efforts by supporting food drives throughout the year. Kroger is a major sponsor of the Boy Scouts of America’s “Scouting for Food” program and leads a “Share Your Feast” food drive during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays each year.

Kroger’s financial contributions are reinforced by substantial non-cash support such as donated equipment, professional expertise and considerable volunteer hours. Manager of Kroger’s Northeast Indiana Zone, Chad Doty, serves on the board of directors of the Community Harvest Food Bank. Mr. Doty, explaining his passion for serving the food bank, said, “I have been a board member with Community Harvest Food Bank for three years. I am proud that my own children have been made aware of the importance of giving to those in need. As a businessman, I am pleased to set a positive example for my peers. As a person, I take pride in being able to assist those who are not as fortunate as myself.”

The Kroger Central Division has 162 Food and Drug Stores with 45 Fuel Centers operating under five banners; Kroger, Scott’s, Owen’s, Hilander and Pay Less Super Markets with locations primarily in Indiana and Illinois in addition to five stores in Missouri, one in Michigan and one in Ohio.