Kroger’s Atlanta Division and its vendor partners presented a $329,423 donation to MUST Ministries and Caring For Others to establish and expand food pantries inside metro area schools.
“This donation is one of the ways we are engaging the community and creating awareness about a simple step we can take to remove barriers to learning for generations of children,” said Victor Smith, president of Kroger’s Atlanta Division.
“School food pantries are a way we can make lives a little easier, lighter and brighter for students who otherwise would go to bed and wake up hungry because they don’t have enough to eat.”
At Kroger, each division president has the option to select a personal charity of choice within the community. Atlanta Division President Victor Smith elected to help support children by funding, establishing and supporting food pantries in local schools.
Last year, Kroger’s Atlanta Division, with the support of vendor partners and MUST Ministries, expanded and created four new school food pantries. In 2026, the coalition is welcoming Caring For Others to expand the school pantry initiative even further.
“Schools are where needs show up first, where we can make an immediate impact and change outcomes,” said Eslene Richmond Shockley, founder, president and CEO of Caring For Others.
“This partnership allows us to meet families with dignity, respond in real time, and build sustainable support systems inside schools. We are deeply grateful to Kroger, Heinz, and Kellanova for standing with our students and families when it matters most.”
MUST President and CEO Ike Reighard shared, “MUST is proud to partner with Kroger to provide these students and their families with much-needed food and other resources. It is difficult for children to focus on their education while having no food at home, so we are very thankful for Kroger’s support to help us change the lives of countless children.”
Kroger’s Atlanta Division is made up of 27,000 employees who serve customers daily in Georgia, Eastern Alabama and South Carolina.
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