KROGER CUSTOMERS AND ASSOCIATES CONTRIBUTE RECORD $10.6 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE SALVATION ARMY IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES

CINCINNATI, Ohio, March 17, 2009 – Customers and associates of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) and its family of stores donated $10.6 million to support The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign during the 2008 holiday season.
The total represents an increase of 13 percent over the $9.4 million raised at Kroger locations last year. Overall, The Salvation Army received a record $130 million nationwide in 2008. Contributions made at Kroger family stores represent 8% of that amount.

“Support from our friends at Kroger is all the more critical during these challenging economic times and we appreciate the company’s long-standing commitment to helping those in need,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army. “Without Kroger’s support, we could not provide critical services to thousands of poor and underprivileged people throughout the country.”

The traditional holiday kettles were placed in front of Kroger’s family of stores in 31 states. Kettles were staffed by Salvation Army volunteers, including many Kroger associates. The Salvation Army estimates that 25,000 bell ringers participate in the Red Kettle campaign annually. Customers also were able to contribute via virtual Red Kettles through Kroger’s holiday website.
The Salvation Army uses funds raised through the Red Kettle campaign to provide assistance to more than 29 million people in 5,000 communities across the country. About 83 cents of every dollar is used on direct social services to help people in need, well above the industry standard. All of the donations fund programs in the community in which they were given.

Kroger, one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains, employs more than 326,000 associates who serve customers in 2,481 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states. Kroger operates stores under two dozen local banner names including, Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, Dillons, QFC and City Market. In addition, Kroger associates serve customers in 771 convenience stores, 385 fine jewelry stores and 781 supermarket fuel centers the Company operates. Kroger also operates 41 food processing plants in the U.S. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local schools and grassroots organizations in the communities it serves. For more information about the Company, please visit www.kroger.com.

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