The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) (http://www.kroger.com/), the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer with 16 stores throughout the Triangle and North Carolina, has announced that its Mid-Atlantic Division that includes the Triangle-area stores raised $159,750 to support the USO in its 2012 “Honoring Our Heroes” campaign. Between June 17 and July 14, Kroger Mid-Atlantic customers were encouraged to donate $1 to benefit the USO and its programs that provide entertainment and support for military troops, their families and veterans. Funds raised by the 122 stores in the Mid-Atlantic Division contributed substantially to the $3,308,897 total compiled by the Kroger family of stores. Kroger is planning a similar national fundraising campaign in the summer of 2013.

“We are proud to announce that our customers remained strong supporters of the military and its veterans through their contributions in our annual ‘Honoring Our Heroes’ campaign in 2012,” said Carl York, advertising & public relations manager for Kroger’s mid-Atlantic marketing region. “The funds raised indicate how strongly our clientele recognizes and honors the sacrifices made by our service members and their families. We look for similar support to be shown during our campaign this year.”