The Kroger Mid-Atlantic Division has made a major donation to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
Kroger has committed a $45,000 gift over three years to support the operations of the Food Bank, which provides food to the hungry in 25 counties and eight cities on either side of the Blue Ridge.
“We are increasing our donation to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank because of our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative to end hunger in the communities we serve,” said Allison McGee, corporate affairs manager of Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Division. “At Kroger, we believe that no family in a community we serve should ever go hungry.”
Last year, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank distributed 25 million pounds of food to 200 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in an area including Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Winchester, and up and down the Shenandoah Valley. That’s the equivalent of 21 million meals.
“Serving more than 106,000 thousand people each month and more than 7,900 children, the Food Bank plays a major role in alleviating hunger in the Blue Ridge region,” said McGee. “The Food Bank is an efficient and productive organization with its distribution network and outreach programs, and Kroger’s donation will make a significant impact in the Food Bank’s effectiveness.”
“Kroger has been a partner of the Food Bank for many years,” said Food Bank CEO Michael McKee. “We value our relationship with Kroger and are grateful for this additional donation, enabling us to serve more hungry people in our region.”
“We will celebrate our partnership with Kroger by displaying their Zero Hunger, Zero Waste logo on one of the refrigerated trucks in our fleet that travels the Lynchburg area,” said Karen Ratzlaff, Chief Philanthropy Officer.
“Approximately 40 percent of the food produced in this country is uneaten, yet one in eight Americans struggles with hunger,” added McGee. “We know that meals matter—families who share meals together have children who do better in every aspect of their lives.”
Kroger operates stores in Lexington, Staunton, Waynesboro, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Appomattox, Lynchburg and Smith Mt. Lake that are served by the Blue Ridge Food Bank. “Through these 13 stores and a district office in the Lynchburg area, we employ approximately 1,700 associates. We’re also active in improving the quality of life in these communities.”
Kroger stores in the Blue Ridge area also donate perishable food to the Food Bank daily, and Kroger supports other programs of the Food Bank.
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