News Release

Kroger Bringing Help and Hope for the Holidays

CINCINNATI, Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Many families in need will have fresh, wholesome food and clothing, shelter and social services this holiday season thanks to The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) customers and associates who shop and work at its family of stores.

"Kroger has a proud history of investing in our communities and a rich tradition of bringing help and hope for the holidays," said Lynn Marmer, Kroger'sgroup vice president of corporate affairs. "In keeping with that tradition, we are making it easy for our customers and associates to support their local food banks and The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign in our family of stores this holiday season."

Feeding Hungry Neighbors As a founding partner of Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger agency, Kroger has been engaged in the hunger relief effort for more than 30 years. Today, the Kroger family of stores has longstanding relationships with more than 80 local food banks. This holiday season, customers can help, too, thanks to a variety of simple donation opportunities.

 Making a financial donation to a local food bank is as easy as scanning a pre-marked tag at registers, asking the cashier to 'round up' a grocery order, or place spare change in specially-marked coin boxes at Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Baker's, Gerbes, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, QFC, Ralphs, and Smith's stores.

 Major food drives will be held at many Kroger stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia andWest Virginia; Fred Meyer stores in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington; and in City Market, Dillons, Baker's, Gerbes, King Soopers and Smith's stores.

 Pre-filled bags and boxes of nutritious food can be purchased and added to collection barrels at Kroger stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina,Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia; and QFC stores in Oregon and Washington.

Regardless of the method, these efforts add up to a shared result -- neighbors bringing help and hope to their neighbors. In 2012, our stores and customers generated $6.8 million to help feed local families during the holidays. Supporting The Salvation Army Customers should look for The Salvation Army's iconic red kettles at the Kroger family of stores from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. Each year, customers and associates generously support The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign that provides food, clothing, toys and social services in the communities where funds are raised.

In 2012, Kroger customers and associates contributed $14.5 million to the campaign, which represents 10% of the total raised nationwide. All funds collected are used locally in the community where the donations are raised. The Red Kettle Campaign enables The Salvation Army to assist 30 million Americans in more than 5,000 communities across the country. Since 2007, more than $72 million has been raised at Kroger family stores.

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs 343,000 associates who serve customers in 2,418 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 783 convenience stores, 326 fine jewelry stores, 1,195 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 80 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million Dollar Club.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.

Media, Keith Dailey, (513) 762-1304; Investors, Cindy Holmes, (513) 762-4969