KROGER, GMA TO HOST CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

CINCINNATI -- Retailers are raising funds for goodwill organizations not only by soliciting donations in-store, but also by hosting charity events.

's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network, the nation's largest charitable hunger-relief organization. A portion of each player's registration fee for the tournament will be donated to America's Second Harvest.

Featuring Jane Blalock of the senior Ladies Professional Golf Association tour, the event will take place during GMA's MSM Conference, Oct. 11, 2005, at The Broadmoor, in Colorado Springs, Colo. The conference will be Oct. 10 to 12.

"Because we're in the food business, Kroger has long been a leading supporter of hunger-relief programs in America," said Mike Ellis, Kroger's group vice president, grocery, drug/general merchandise, and pharmacy merchandising and procurement. "We're glad to have this opportunity to work with our industry partners to help America's Second Harvest address this problem."

Both Kroger and the GMA are long-time supporters of America's Second Harvest.

"We are especially proud to have the opportunity to spotlight America's Second Harvest and its work at GMA's MSM Conference by co-sponsoring the MSM Golf Tournament with Kroger," said Stephen Sibert, GMA's vice president of industry development and membership.

In 2004, GMA members helped America's Second Harvest distribute about 2 billion pounds of food and grocery products to 23 million people, including 9 million children. Since 1986, Kroger has supported America's Second Harvest by donating more than $500,000 and providing about 25 million pounds of food annually.