CINCINNATI, May 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- To show support for our heroes - troops, their families and veterans - The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced a robust program involving events and customer engagement that will honor these heroes all summer.

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More than two million Americans serve on active duty or in the reserves today, including many Kroger family of stores associates. Kroger has partnered with the USO through "Honoring Our Heroes," a multi-faceted program designed to show Kroger's deep gratitude to our active duty troops and our nation's 23 million veterans.

Kroger's customers and associates have enthusiastically supported the endeavor: Together, Kroger's annual campaign has raised more than $11.9 million since 2010 to support USO programs, which represents the largest cumulative gift to the USO in its nearly 75 year history.

To honor our heroes, Kroger announced several easy ways for customers to participate this Memorial Day season:



    --  $1 Million MatchKroger invites its customers to join forces with them to
        donate $2 million to the USO by giving through register scan cards and 
        coin boxes at every store or by donating online at
        HonoringOurHeroes.com. Kroger will match every dollar that is donated,
        up to $1 million.

    --  Gift Card DonationsCustomers may also purchase special gift cards in $5,
        $10 and $15 denominations that will be delivered to local USO centers.

    --  Red, White and BBQ Treating troops and their families to some good ol'
        BBQ is a token of the company's appreciation for the many family dinners
        they missed while deployed. Kroger will host BBQs in 12 cities and towns
        across the United States.

    --  Operation Taste of HomeHaving a "taste of home" is a powerful experience
        for troops stationed abroad. Kroger will bring the taste of the backyard
        BBQ experience to the brave servicemen and servicewomen at three
        locations abroad: Camp Buehring, Kuwait (May 30), Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
        (May 31), Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany (June 5).

    --  Share a Coke With every click, The Coca-Cola Company will donate a
        refreshing Coke to the troops, up to 100,000, on Kroger's behalf.
        Consumers can use the hashtags #HonoringOurHeroes #ShareaCoke to spread
        the message.

    --  Social SharingCustomers can visit HonoringOurHeroes.com to become
        inspired by Kroger's own associates' stories of courage, then write a
        special message to America's heroes. By posting on social media channels
        using the #HonoringOurHeroes hashtag, the message will automatically
        show up on the official website.

    --  Hiring Our HeroesKroger has hired more than 29,000 veterans since 2009 -
        including more than 6,000 last year - and continues to seek out
        opportunities to honor heroes through career opportunities.

"We are all touched by the military service of our neighbors, friends and colleagues, which makes Honoring Our Heroes close to the hearts and homes of our customers and associates," said Lynn Marmer, Kroger's group vice president of corporate affairs. "While we can never truly thank our service men and women enough for the sacrifices they make, we are deeply committed to recognizing our troops and their families through our partnership with the USO."

To find out more, visit https://www.honoringourheroes.com/

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs nearly 400,000 associates who serve customers in 2,625 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 782 convenience stores, 326 fine jewelry stores, 1,330 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 community organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 100 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.

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SOURCE The Kroger Co.