Kroger Recognizes Zero Heroes Across the U.S.
Kroger has honored 14,656 students nationwide as 'Zero Heroes' for their volunteer work in fighting hunger and waste through its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste youth engagement program. During the 2023-2024 school year, these students completed 107,175 volunteer hours, valued at $3.5 million in community impact. This initiative supports UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Since its inception in 2019, the program has recognized over 46,425 students, generating a community impact valued at $10.8 million. The program encourages students aged 14-24 to engage in local volunteer efforts and earn awards for their contributions.
- Kroger recognized 14,656 students for volunteer work, generating a $3.5 million community impact.
- Since 2019, the program has achieved a total community impact value of $10.8 million.
- The press release does not mention any direct financial gains or business growth resulting from the program, which may be seen as lacking immediate business benefits.
More than 14,600 students recognized for volunteering to serve local communities and fight hunger and waste
"We are inspired and energized by our 2023-2024 class of Zero Heroes. These bright students reflect the spirit of our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste mission, and we are grateful for their dedication and achievements in communities from coast to coast," said Denise Osterhues, Kroger's senior director of sustainability and social impact. "Their commitment to service is a great reminder that we can each make a big difference through everyday actions. By working together to fight hunger and waste, we can make a larger impact in our communities."
To amplify community service opportunities related to Kroger's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste impact plan, the retailer developed the youth engagement program in 2019 in collaboration with InnerView—a leading platform to empower student volunteers. InnerView offers paths for students to explore volunteer opportunities, capture service activities, develop skills through impact-driven projects and demonstrate community impact aligned with the Global Goals.
Since the 2019-2020 school year, more than 46,425 youth Zero Heroes completed a total of more than 365,0575 volunteer service hours. Their achievements generated a total community impact value of
Through the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste youth engagement program, students earn awards and develop a personal community service résumé detailing their hours of service and areas of positive social impact. Sample activities include volunteer at a soup kitchen, pack meals at a food bank, help with or organize a food drive or start a school food pantry. Students are encouraged to explore the Global Goals and engage in local volunteer efforts that align with their passions.
In 2023, for the second consecutive year, Kroger created a 15-member Youth Advisory Council of committed student leaders across the United States who invested time and talent into pressing issues including hunger, climate, responsible consumption and recycling. Each student participated in Kroger-led collaborative sessions with guest speakers, discussions on Zero Hunger | Zero Waste, and design challenges to create Zero Hunger | Zero Waste-aligned Community Impact projects, supported by a charitable micro-grant from Kroger.
The Zero Hunger | Zero Waste engagement program is offered to all students ages 14 to 24 in the
About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies nearly 420,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
About InnerView Technologies
InnerView is the leading and most equitable youth social responsibility platform to help students, groups, and schools highlight community service impact, skill development, and connect with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and organizations with innovative programs to drive positive change. Learn more at InnerView.org
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SOURCE The Kroger Co.
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