Kroger's Family of Stores to Invest $3 Million for Breast Cancer Awareness

CINCINNATI, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Kroger Co.'s (NYSE: KR) family of stores, in partnership with key suppliers, has committed $3 million in donations for local breast cancer initiatives across the country to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.

A two-week sales promotion currently running in Kroger stores nationwide supports the company's Giving Hope a Hand(R) campaign to increase breast cancer awareness. The promotion includes hundreds of popular items storewide, many of which will feature exclusive, specially marked pink packaging.

These new pink packages feature 38 Kroger employees who are breast cancer survivors.

"When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was a busy mom juggling work and home life with my husband and four sons," says Jo Ford, a 30-year Kroger associate in Columbus, Ohio. "Now my mission is to spread the word to women to get their annual mammograms. I credit my wonderful sisterhood of friends, family and special Kroger family for giving me the support I needed to get through that tough time."

This year, customers can also find these and other inspirational stories by visiting http://www.sharingcourage.com , a new Web site dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness.

Products featured in the promotion include Kroger's own corporate-brand and banner-brand items -- including its exclusive Private Selection(R) line -- as well as products from other supplier and vendor partners. Participating manufacturers include Kellogg's, Kraft, Pepsi, Campbell's, General Mills products under the Betty Crocker and Pillsbury labels, Procter & Gamble and Dreyer's Ice Cream. Kroger's partnership with key suppliers benefits breast cancer initiatives in communities across the country where Kroger customers and employees live and work.

"It is an honor to have so many of our courageous associates featured on products to share their personal journeys as breast cancer survivors," said David B. Dillon, Kroger chairman and chief executive officer. "Their participation is so meaningful in so many ways but perhaps the most important aspect is the awareness they raise by encouraging others to take charge of their own health. They are providing a tremendous service to millions of families by sharing their stories to educate others in a positive and effective way."

Kroger, one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains, is honored to celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2008. The Company's more than 320,000 associates serve customers in 2,476 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, Fry's, King Soopers, Smith's, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger associates also serve customers in 779 convenience stores, 393 fine jewelry stores and 737 supermarket fuel centers the Company operates. The Company also operates 41 food processing plants in the U.S. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local schools and grassroots organizations in the communities it serves. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.kroger.com .

SOURCE The Kroger Co.