Kroger contributes $3.2 million to USO

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Monday announced a cumulative contribution to the USO of $3.2 million for 2013.

The funds were raised through the company's Honoring Our Heroes sales event in May and customer contributions collected at check stands through the summer and fall.

"Kroger is honored and privileged to support our service men and women through our partnership with the USO," stated Lynn Marmer, Kroger's group VP corporate affairs. "And we are humbled by the generosity our customers have shown through their participation in Kroger's Honoring Our Heroes campaign and by donating spare change or rounding up their purchases at cash registers."

The Kroger family of stores, in partnership with customers, associates and vendors, has donated a total of $8.4 million to the USO since 2010.

All of the funds raised support the programs and services the USO provides to service members, their families, wounded, ill and injured troops, and our veterans.  A private, nonprofit organization, the USO provides programs, services and entertainment events to enhance the quality of life for America's military personnel and their families wherever they serve. 

Kroger also is committed to hiring veterans, the company noted. Since 2009, more than 21,200 veterans have joined the company. Last year, Kroger joined more than 90 other companies in the "100,000 Jobs Mission."  The program has a collective goal of hiring more than 100,000 transitioning service members and military veterans by 2020.