Kroger and the Kokomo Police Department will unite Saturday, June 28, to fight hunger, asking customers to join their efforts to “Pack the Cruiser.” The four-hour food drive, filling a police vehicle with nutritious food, will gather donations from generous Kroger customers who wish to help the Howard County Health Department during an especially challenging summer.
Bethany Wenger, Public Health Projects Manager for the health department, worries about Howard County families who face “a wide range of barriers to accessing nutritious meals for themselves and their children.” She said their difficulties leave “thousands of children facing food insecurity over the summer.” Wenger’s concern inspired the food drive as part of the new Howard County Summer Feeding Program.
Colleen Juergensen, president of Kroger Central Division, says, “The timing of this drive is especially important because, when school is out, many children don’t have access to the nutrition provided through school lunches. We also know demand is up at food banks and pantries while donations are down. So, Pack the Cruiser helps ensure food is available when local families need help.”
The “Pack the Cruiser” Food Drive will take place at Kroger, 605 N. Dixon Road, on Sat., June 28, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
“Our core values rely on a simple concept: Pride in Commitment – Excellence in Service,” said Lt. Charlie Fourkiller of the Kokomo Police Department. “This new food drive gives the department another chance to demonstrate the depth of our devotion to the people of Kokomo. We’re honored to partner with Kroger to support ‘Pack the Cruiser’ and do what we can to ensure more local kids have access to nutritious foods and go to bed with full stomachs this summer.”
Members of the Howard County Summer Feeding Program hope to collect enough shelf- stable, kid-friendly meals and snacks to serve 500 local children each week. Wenger suggests the following items for Kroger shopping lists:
- Peanut butter (plastic container)
- Jelly (plastic container)
- Mac & cheese cups
- Canned tuna and chicken
- Canned soups, chili, ravioli
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Cereal boxes
- Instant oatmeal
- Applesauce and fruit cups
- Granola bars
All Howard County shoppers are invited to help Kroger and Kokomo Police “Pack the Cruiser” at the Dixon Road store on Saturday. Every donation will directly help local children in need.