With the help of customers across the country, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) and Hormel Foods today announced they are donating gift certificates for more than 10,000 Hormel CURE 81 hams to non-profit organizations to help feed needy families this holiday season.

The donation, valued at more than $125,000, is based on the volume of qualifying Hormel Foods products purchased by shoppers at Kroger-owned stores throughout the holiday season. Nine Company divisions that participated in the campaign recently received gift certificates that are being distributed to various non-profit organizations. The gift certificates are good toward the purchase of Hormel CURE 81 hams in participating stores. The hams will be enough to feed an estimated 325,000 people.

"This promotion is a great way for Kroger and Hormel Foods to give something back to the communities which we serve," said Derrick Penick, group vice president of perishables merchandising and procurement at Kroger. "Our customers have a wonderful opportunity to help feed the hungry simply by putting Hormel meat products on their shopping lists."

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is the nation’s largest retail grocery chain. At the end of the third quarter, the Company operated 2,343 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under nearly two dozen banners, including Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Smith’s, King Soopers, Dillon, Fry’s, City Market, Food 4 Less and Quality Food Centers. Kroger also operates 787 convenience stores, 396 fine jewelry stores, 66 supermarket fuel centers and 42 food processing plants.

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