CINCINNATI, Aug. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced today 366 winners of the Kroger Scholars award for 2014-2015 school year. Each student will receive $1,000 to assist with post-high school educational expenses.

"We are so proud of each one of these young men and women who have demonstrated a commitment to learning and hard work," said Lynn Marmer, Kroger's group vice president of corporate affairs and president of The Kroger Co. Foundation. "For so many parents, sending a child off to college is at once a pride- and anxiety-inducing experience. We hope these funds will make it a little easier for our associates and their children as they transition to studying beyond high school."

The 2014-2015 Kroger Scholars come from 29 states. A full list of scholarship winners by state is available at http://www.thekrogerco.com/community/kroger-scholars.

Kroger Scholars is a company-wide program of The Kroger Co. Foundation, and is open to children of associates who work in the Kroger family of stores, have at least two years of service and work a minimum of 1,000 hours per year.

Funds can be used at any accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational program.

Scholarship America, a leading national scholarship manager, selected recipients based on a broad range of criteria including scholastic performance, work experience, extra-curricular and volunteer activities and a statement of goals and aspirations.

Since launching in 2008, Kroger Scholars has provided more than $2.2 million in awards to more than 2,200 families.

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 375,000 associates who serve customers in 2,640 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 786 convenience stores, 320 fine jewelry stores, 1,240 supermarket fuel centers and 38 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.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.