Kroger’s Family of Stores Make It Easy for Customers to Help Their Neighbors Through The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign

Bell Ringers Will Be At Stores Throughout the Holidays To Raise Funds

CINCINNATI, Ohio, The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles will once again ring in the season at Kroger and its family of stores. Each year, customers generously support the campaign that provides food, clothing, toys and social services in the communities where funds are raised.

“Kroger shoppers step up to support the Red Kettle Campaign every year and we are incredibly grateful for this continued support,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. "The economic hardships we are facing today make the work of The Salvation Army all the more critical – so we are calling on all Americans to dig deep this year to help their neighbors in need.”

In 2008, Kroger customers and associates contributed $10.6 million to the campaign, which represents 8% of the record $130 million raised nationwide. All funds collected are used locally in the community where the donations are made. The Red Kettle campaign enables The Salvation Army to assist 30 million Americans in over 5,000 communities across the country. For more information, please visit, www.salvationarmyusa.org.

“Our customers and associates really get behind this campaign because it helps them make a real difference in the lives of their own neighbors. We are honored to continue our longstanding partnership with The Salvation Army,” said Lynn Marmer, group vice president of corporate affairs for Kroger.

Kroger (KR:NYSE), the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 326,000 associates who serve customers in 2,470 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s. The Company also operates 768 convenience stores, 388 fine jewelry stores, 818 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the U.S. Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local organizations in the communities it serves. For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com.