KROGER DONATES PERISHABLE FOOD TO AREA FOOD BANKS   Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Region strengthened its record of donations to feed the hungry last year, sending 1.6 million pounds of perishable food distributed to 10 food banks affiliated with Feeding America.      That means each of the stores in the region contributed approximately 1,100 pounds of food, enough for more than 900 nutritious meals in the communities served by Kroger, said Allison McGee, spokesperson for Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic region.      â€śKroger’s commitment to feeding the hungry has led to a company-wide program that allows stores to donate nutritious perishable food directly to food banks that have the capacity to handle and distribute fresh food,” explained McGee. The Perishable Donations Partnership occurs in all stores in the Mid-Atlantic region, which includes Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and the eastern portions of Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio.      â€śThrough this Partnership, we can provide healthy, nutritious balanced meals that include meat, seafood, fruit, vegetables, dairy items and other perishable foods to enhance the health and nutrition of thousands of our neighbors,” added McGee.      Kroger supports five food banks in Virginia: Feeding America Southwest Virginia in Salem, Blue Area Food Bank in Verona, Central Virginia Food Bank in Richmond, Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia in Norfolk, and the Food Bank of the Virginia Peninsula in Hampton. In West Virginia, Kroger supports the Mountaineer Food Bank in Gassaway and the Huntington Area Food Bank. In Tennessee, Kroger supports the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeastern Tennessee; and in Ohio, Kroger supports the Southeastern Ohio Regional Food Bank in Logan.      Kroger’s Bringing Hope to the Table program brings key suppliers and customers together in an ongoing commitment to end hunger. Since 2006, this national program has generated $24 million in funds and $7 million in food which goes directly to food banks in Kroger communities. These funds help food banks buy trucks, refrigeration equipment, computers and other equipment.

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