Food 4 Less and The Kroger Family of Stores Commit $3 Million in Donations for Breast Cancer Awareness

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- In partnership with key suppliers, Food 4 Less and its parent company, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), have committed $3 million in donations to support breast cancer initiatives in communities across the country where Food 4 Less and Kroger customers and members live and work.  

The annual breast cancer campaign, "Giving Hope a Hand®", again will feature members from across the company who are breast cancer survivors.  This year, 56 women share their stories of survival on marketing materials and custom packages of national and Kroger brand items, which will be sold exclusively in Kroger's family of stores, including:  Food 4 Less, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's.

Glenda Ritchey-Smith, of the Food 4 Less at 24440 Alessandro Boulevard in Moreno Valley, is featured on Frito-Lay 36 ct. multipack chips.  Glenda, a resident of Moreno Valley, was diagnosed with breast cancer 14 years ago and is cancer free today. She shares her story to reassure those now facing the disease.  

"Breast cancer runs in my family. All of my aunts on my mom's side, and six out of eight of my female cousins, all had breast cancer. My sister was also diagnosed a month ago and is currently going through radiation," said Glenda. Her advice, "Maintain a very positive attitude and keep life as normal as possible. Be happy."

Josette Averett, who also works at Food 4 Less's Alessandro store and lives in Moreno Valley, can be seen on Pepsi standee signs.  Josette, who also has a family history of breast cancer, found the lump herself and went straight to the doctor.

"The best way to beat breast cancer is early detection. Women of every ethnicity need to get regular mammograms. Breast cancer affects everyone. The secret to beating it is to always keep the faith, and to stay strong. Keep fighting and never give up," said Josette.

Glenda's and Josette's inspirational stories and others can be found at www.sharingcourage.com, an interactive website dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness.

"We're proud to have two of our members, Glenda Ritchey-Smith and Josette Averett, featured on products and signs sharing their personal journey as breast cancer survivors," said Bryan Kaltenbach, president of Food 4 Less Stores. "Glenda's and Josette's participation is so meaningful in so many ways, but perhaps the most important aspect is the awareness they're raising by encouraging others to take charge of their own health. Glenda and Josette are providing a tremendous service to families by sharing their story to educate others in a positive and effective way."

Food 4 Less's campaign includes a store-wide sales promotion of popular items, many of which will feature exclusive, specially marked pink packaging.  This year, 1,800 items, including Kroger's own products and popular items from partners including Pepsi, Kellogg, Kraft, General Mills, Procter & Gamble and Kimberly Clark are participating.

Food 4 Less was founded in 1988 and currently operates 147 price-impact, warehouse-format supermarkets in California, Nevada, Illinois and Indiana. The company is a division of The Kroger Co., (NYSE: KR), one of the nation's largest grocery retailers, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information about Food 4 Less, please visit our website at www.food4less.com.

SOURCE Food 4 Less

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