Kroger’s Atlanta Division announced today that customers and associates raised $128,000 through its “Kick Hunger to the Sidelines” campaign, raising more than two-and-a-half times the campaign’s original $50,000 goal. All funds will be dedicated to hunger-relief initiatives for children throughout the division, which includes Georgia, eastern Alabama and South Carolina.

“Kroger customers and associates once again demonstrated the tremendous impact we can make when we work together,” said Victoria Boone, manager of communications and public affairs for Kroger’s Atlanta Division. “Our customers generously rounded up their purchases, and our associates enthusiastically championed the campaign in stores. Together, they provided meaningful support for children who may not always know where their next meal is coming from.”

Held June 1 through July 31, the campaign invited customers to round up their purchases at checkout to help children facing food insecurity. Kroger associates across the Atlanta Division helped bring the campaign to life by raising awareness, encouraging participation and sharing the importance of supporting children throughout their communities.

Funds raised through “Kick Hunger to the Sidelines” will be distributed equally among eight nonprofit partners serving communities across Kroger’s Atlanta Division.

• MUST Ministries — serving communities throughout metro Atlanta, such as Marietta and Canton.
• Caring For Others — serving communities throughout metro Atlanta, such as Atlanta, East Point and Union City.
• Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia — serving 21 Georgia counties: Appling, Bacon, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Jeff Davis, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Montgomery, Pierce, Tattnall, Toombs and Wayne.
• Golden Harvest Food Bank — serving 24 counties in Georgia and South Carolina: Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Greene, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lincoln, McDuffie, Putnam, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington and Wilkes counties in Georgia; and Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield and McCormick counties in South Carolina.
• Middle Georgia Community Food Bank — serving 24 Georgia counties: Baldwin, Bibb, Bleckley, Crawford, Dodge, Dooly, Houston, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Macon, Monroe, Peach, Pike, Pulaski, Taylor, Telfair, Treutlen, Twiggs, Upson, Wheeler, Wilcox and Wilkinson.
• Food Bank of East Alabama — serving seven Alabama counties: Barbour, Chambers, Lee, Macon, Randolph, Russell and Tallapoosa.
• Food Bank of Northeast Georgia — serving 15 Georgia counties: Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Rabun, Stephens, Towns and White.
• Harvest Hope Food Bank — serving 20 South Carolina counties: Calhoun, Chester, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Fairfield, Florence, Greenville, Kershaw, Laurens, Lee, Lexington, Marion, Marlboro, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda and Sumter.

“Whether a customer donated a few cents or several dollars, every contribution helped move us closer to our goal,” Boone said. “We are deeply grateful to our customers and associates for rallying behind this effort to ensure children have access to the food and resources they need to learn, grow and thrive.”

“Kick Hunger to the Sidelines” supports Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social impact plan, which is focused on helping create communities free from hunger and waste.