Kroger partners with USO in 'Honoring our Heroes'
CINCINNATI - To show support for the nation's active duty troops and 23 million veterans, Kroger on Friday announced a program involving events and customer engagement that will honor these heroes all summer.
Kroger has partnered with the USO through "Honoring Our Heroes," a multi-faceted program designed to show Kroger's deep gratitude. 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.
Kroger 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.
Customers may also purchase special gift cards in $5, $10 and $15 denominations that will be delivered to local USO centers.
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.
Kroger also will bring the taste of the backyard BBQ experience to the servicemen and servicewomen at three locations abroad: Camp Buehring in Kuwait (May 30), Camp Arifjan in Kuwait (May 31) and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany (June 5).
And the Coca-Cola Company has pledged to donate a Coke to the troops, up to 100,000, on Kroger's behalf. Consumers can use the hashtags #HonoringOurHeroes #ShareaCoke to spread the message.
Customers 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.
Kroger 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 VP 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."