Kroger Invites Customers to Support Troops
The Kroger Co.'s family of stores invites customers to join in supporting the men and women of the armed forces and their families during its annual Honoring Our Heroes campaign in partnership with the USO.
Kroger, together with customers, employees and vendors, will provide $2.3 million to support the USO's broad range of programs that assist service members and their families. Since 2010, Kroger has provided more than $8.5 million to support the USO – the largest cumulative gift to the USO in that organization's history.
"The USO supports our military and their families in so many ways — from being right there for the wounded, injured and ill, to helping those who are on deployment record a bed time story for their children," said Lynn Marmer, Kroger's group VP for corporate affairs. "The USO connects with our service men and women every step of the way, and Kroger is proud to honor our troops and veterans by supporting them."
Honoring Our Heroes Sales Event
Beginning Memorial Day weekend and continuing through the following two weeks, store-wide promotions will feature hundreds of popular products at special sale prices. Customers can support brands that make Kroger's donation possible by purchasing participating items identified by customized shelf tags, including Kroger's own products and items from key partners including Coca-Cola, Frito Lay, Kraft, Mondelez, Post assorted cereals, and more.
All of the funds raised will support the broad range of programs and services the USO provides to service members, their families, wounded troops, and our veterans. A private, nonprofit organization, the USO provides programs, treatment, comfort and much more to enhance the quality of life for America's military personnel and their families wherever they serve.
Honoring Kroger's Heroes
Kroger is also recognizing company employees and their families who are active and former military members, including Yvette Villa, who works at a Ralphs store in California while pursuing her dream of being an Army specialist. Customers can read more stories like Villa's, and learn how to volunteer with the USO or make a donation, by visiting www.honoringourheroes.com.
This annual event is just one element of Kroger's year-round commitment to supporting members of the military and their families. Kroger has hired more than 22,456 veterans since 2009, and helped the "100,000 Jobs Mission" surpass its original goal to hire 100,000 transitioning service members and military veterans by 2020 in January 2014, seven years early.
Customers and associates of the Kroger family of stores will be able to show their support for our service men and women at various times during the summer by donating spare change in specially-marked coin boxes at check stands, or by rounding up their purchases at registers.
Kroger operates 2,640 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banners, including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's.