The Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation Pledges $200,000 for Wildfire Relief

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The Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation Pledges $200,000 for Wildfire Relief
   Retailer Also Providing Water and Other Supplies for Firefighters and
                             Evacuation Centers

    LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Supermarket partners Ralphs and
Food 4 Less announced today that their charitable arm, The Ralphs/Food 4
Less Foundation, has pledged $200,000 to the American Red Cross for
wildfire relief in Southern California.
    The supermarket chains are establishing collection points in its 382
Ralphs and Food 4 Less stores in Southern California where customers can
make cash donations. Donations will be accepted beginning today with all
funds collected going directly to the American Red Cross for its 2007
Southern California Wildfire Relief Fund.
    Customers can support the Red Cross' efforts to bring aid to victims of
the wildfires by donating their spare change in specially marked collection
canisters located at the checkstands in their neighborhood Ralphs and Food
4 Less store.
    "As a Southern California retailer, we are pleased to assist the
American Red Cross in its vitally important relief efforts for these
wildfires that are devastating our communities," said Mike Donnelly,
President of Ralphs Supermarkets. "It is our hope that our donations will
help the Red Cross provide much needed assistance to the victims and
families of these catastrophic wildfires."
    The American Red Cross applauded Ralphs and Food 4 Less for its efforts
to assist in the wildfire relief efforts.
    "We are proud to have partners such as The Ralphs/Food 4 Less
Foundation as we come to the aid of the greater Los Angeles community,"
said Edmond Lelo, Chairman of the Board, American Red Cross of Greater Los
Angeles.
    Added Paul Schultz, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Los
Angeles, "Donations make it possible for the American Red Cross of Greater
Los Angeles to provide shelter, food and emotional support to individuals
and their families impacted by these wildfires. We are deeply grateful to
The Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation for responding to the needs of the
community during this difficult time."
    In addition to the $200,000 donation, Ralphs and Food 4 Less are
donating food and water for firefighters battling wildfires throughout
Southern California. Ralphs and Food 4 Less also are making donations to
emergency evacuation centers as needs arise.
    "Thousands of our customers, associates and their families have been
affected by the wildfires," said Dave Hirz, President of Food 4 Less. "Food
4 Less and Ralphs are committed to supporting the communities we serve and
we are proud to be able to assist the American Red Cross with its disaster
relief efforts, and the firefighters who are battling the wildfires on the
front lines."
    Ralphs and Food 4 Less have a history of contributing and raising funds
to assist victims of disasters, including the wildfires of 2003, Hurricane
Katrina, the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York City and
Washington, D.C., and the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
    The Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation was established in 1991 to fulfill
the supermarket companies' commitment to giving back to the communities
they serve. The Foundation has assisted hundreds of nonprofit
organizations, schools and community groups with grants in excess of $30
million. Thousands of people have benefited as a result of this support.
    Ralphs and Food 4 Less believe in being good corporate citizens by
contributing to the diverse communities they serve. Last year, Ralphs and
Food 4 Less provided more than $15 million in cash and in-kind donations to
organizations focused on health, education, the fight against hunger and
developing our youth.
    About Ralphs/Food 4 Less:
    Ralphs/Food 4 Less was founded in 1873 and currently operates 400
conventional and warehouse-style supermarkets in California, Nevada,
Illinois and Indiana, from its headquarters in Los Angeles. The company is
a division of The Kroger Co., (NYSE: KR), one of the nation's largest food
retailers, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more about Ralphs and Food 4
Less, visit our web sites at http://www.ralphs.com and
http://www.food4less.net.
    About American Red Cross:
    All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by
voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You may
call 1-800-REDCROSS to receive more information about disaster assistance
and how you can help.
SOURCE Ralphs
http://www.ralphs.com
http://www.food4less.net
CONTACT:
Terry O'Neil of Ralphs, +1-310-884-4680