The USO, a nonprofit supporting U.S. service members and their families, has teamed up with Kroger to launch mobile food programming that will serve local military communities. The initiative began May 16 with a “Stuff the Truck” event at the Chamblee-Tucker Kroger store in Atlanta, Georgia.
“The USO is proud to uplift the U.S. military community with the help of our partner Kroger,” said Brian Cowart, chief development and marketing officer at the USO. “This initiative offers the American people the opportunity to give back to those who have sacrificed for our country and to connect with service members through the joy of food.”
Through this partnership, the USO and Kroger will provide meals to military members, whether they’re supporting natural disaster relief, serving in remote locations or at basic training. Custom co-branded trucks and trailers from the mobile USO fleet will collect donations from local shoppers and deliver food to various military bases.
As part of the event, the public can make donations to “Stuff the Truck.” A few recommended products to donate include protein bars, fruit snacks and to-go peanut butter.
Starting in Georgia, mobile units will deliver food, stopping to replenish supplies at Kroger stores along the way.
Initial locations include:
- Chamblee-Tucker Store on May 16 – “Stuff the Truck” event to collect donations;
- Dobbins Reserve Air Force Base on May 17 to deliver to the military community;
- Grovetown Kroger Store on May 18 – “Stuff the Truck” event to collect donations;
- Fort Gordon on May 19 to deliver to the military community; and
- Fort Stewart on May 21 to deliver to the military community and to deliver meals for families of deployed service members.
“The USO and Kroger have long worked together to support our military service men and women and their families,” said Denise Osterhues, Kroger’s senior director of sustainability and social Impact.
“We’re introducing three new mobile kitchen units in the next two years to take our partnership to the next level. Together, we’ll bring warm meals and taste of home to service members wherever they are – at military installations, providing food at USO centers or disaster relief services in our communities. This new Kroger-USO mobile kitchen fleet will be at the center of our shared mission to nourish our neighbors.”
To learn more, visit USO.org or thekrogerco.com.
