RALEIGH, N.C., May 22, 2015 – The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer with 14 stores throughout the Triangle and North Carolina, has announced the details of its annual Honoring Our Heroes campaign. Kroger has again partnered with the United Service Organizations (USO) to support programs that make a difference in the lives of active-duty military, veterans and their families. Since 2010, Kroger has provided more than $11.9 million to support USO programs — the largest cumulative gift to the USO in that organization’s 75-year history.

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

• $1 Million Match

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

• 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 Home

Having 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 Sharing

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.

• Hiring Our Heroes

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.

The USO is a nonprofit that has served the United States military for more than 60 years. Through constantly-evolving programming, the USO continually lives its mission to uplift troops and their families. They sponsor educational, recreational and welfare activities both at home and abroad.

For more information on the Honoring Our Heroes campaign, visit http://www.honoringourheroes.com/.

QUOTES:

“As we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country this Memorial Day Weekend, Kroger is proud once again to take part in Honoring Our Heroes,” said Anne Jenkins, spokesperson for Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Division. “Honoring Our Heroes started as a small project in 2010, with coin boxes in 1,200. It’s since expanded nationwide as a way for our customers and associates to show their gratitude to our service men and women for the sacrifices they make every day.”

ABOUT KROGER:

Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer, has 14 stores throughout the Triangle, including Apex (1), Cary (1), Garner (1), Fuquay-Varina (1), Raleigh (4) and Durham (6). Headquartered in Cincinnati, the company 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. For more information, please visit http://www.kroger.com.

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