Clayton News Daily

By Jason A. Smith

jsmith@henryherald.com

Atlanta Kroger stores are celebrating the grocery chain's accomplishments during a fund-raising effort aimed at benefiting local food banks around the country.

The stores generated more than $139,000 in recent weeks, during the "Bringing Hope to the Table®" campaign, which ended June 13.

The effort was undertaken in support of Feeding America, a nationwide hunger-relief group.

Glynn Jenkins, the director of communications and public relations for Kroger's Atlanta division, said that every dollar donated through the campaign helps to provide enough groceries for seven meals.

Jenkins said projects like "Bringing Food to the Table," are particularly important in the current economic climate, in the state and in the nation.

"During these challenging ... times, we've seen the impact with an unemployment rate of 9.7 percent in Georgia," he said. "People are facing foreclosure, homelessness or job insecurity, and are trying to stretch their dollars to determine how and when they'll receive their next meal."

The campaign, said Jenkins, allows Kroger to partner with food manufacturers to offer select items with an incentive for those who buy them.

"When customers purchase [these] items, they're actually making a donation to support Feeding America food banks," he said.

Additional details regarding the fund-raiser were released by Kroger in a written statement issued Monday. According to the release, partners in the endeavor provided more than $20 in coupon offers online, at www.bringinghopetothetable.com.

For more information, visit www.Kroger.com.