Kroger extends partnership with USO

CINCINNATI — Kroger said it is kicking off a year-long initiative to raise funds for armed forces members in partnership with the USO, the leading organization for morale-boosting programs and services for American troops and their families.

Kroger said the campaign will include in-store and online promotions and a text-to-give campaign that encourages Kroger customers to text "USO" to 27722 during the race to donate $10 to USO programs.

The campaign launch is in line with the retailer's Daytona 500 celebration, which will be held Sunday. In addition, Kroger will present a $400,000 donation to the USO on Sunday, a set of funds that were collected in 2010 from customers and associates at nearly 1,300 Kroger-operated supermarkets nationwide.