Kroger and American Heart Association partner to fight leading cause of death

ATLANTA – Kroger’s Atlanta Division stores and the American Heart Association ( AHA) are teaming up to help fight heart disease – the number one cause of death of both men and women in the United States – during American Heart Month.

The initiative, which runs from Feb. 12 – Feb. 25, invites customers at Georgia, Eastern Alabama and South Carolina Kroger locations to purchase a paper “red heart” for $ 1 at checkout to help raise $ 200,000 to benefit the AHA and its mission of building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

“More than 2,200 Americans die from cardiovascular diseases each day – or about one death every 40 seconds,” says Glynn Jenkins, public relations director for Kroger’s Atlanta Division. “We are committed to raising awareness and driving financial support to the AHA’s important life- saving programs and improving the cardiovascular health of Americans suffering or at risk of coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and high blood pressure.”

The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest, largest voluntary organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Donations to AHA help fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to help millions of people across the country.

Kroger’s Atlanta Division is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and is one of the Southeast’s largest retail grocery chains with over 188 stores covering, Georgia, Eastern Alabama and South Carolina. Kroger was recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in the U.S. The Company focuses its charitable efforts on hunger relief, K- 12 education, women’s health initiatives and local organizations in the communities it serves. For more information about Kroger, please visit www. kroger. com