Fred Meyer Gives a Helping Hand

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fred Meyer, a division of the Kroger Co. , and the Red Cross are joining forces to provide aid to the victims of the deadly Tsunami, which hit a dozen countries along the coast of the Indian Ocean. By accepting cash donation from area residents, Fred Meyer and sister stores within the Kroger Co. hope to make a difference in the lives of the many affected by this natural disaster.

"In response to the shortage of supplies and the desperate need for aid in the affected countries, Fred Meyer and the Red Cross are thankful for this opportunity to lend a helping hand," said Darrell Webb, President of Fred Meyer. "It is the generosity and good heart of the Fred Meyer Customers that make these donations possible. In addition we are offering our employees a convenient way to help and The Fred Meyer Foundation will match the first $100,000 raised by our associates."

To make a donation, Fred Meyer Customers can simply go to any open checkstand in the store and ask the cashier to add a contribution, of any denomination, to their purchase. The funds collected, along with The Fred Meyer Foundation matching grant, will be sent to the Red Cross to be distributed to those affected by this natural disaster.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,531 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under two dozen banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's, Fry's, Fry's Marketplace, Dillions, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 792 convenience stores, 439 fine jewelry stores, 520 supermarket fuel centers and 42 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger or Fred Meyer, please visit our web sites at http://www.kroger.com/ or http://www.fredmeyer.com/.