Kroger honors Eric Horn as 2008 Community Service Award-winner

Selected from 156 nominees across five states

[May 05, 2009]  The Kroger Co.'s Central Division, headquartered in Indianapolis, has announced 20 Community Service Award-winners for 2008. The winners were selected from among 153 nominees submitted by each of the division's 153 stores and three nominees from the division office. Eric Horn, who works in the front end at Kroger's store at 1475 Woodlawn Road in Lincoln, was one of 20 winners who were honored at an April 25 dinner.

Eric volunteers his time to nearly every event supported by Kroger in Lincoln. He supports the veterans' club, supports the Christmas Angel Tree shoppers from the chamber of commerce and personally delivered donated food from Kroger's "Share Your Feast" food drive to the local food pantry. He also is a member of the Illinois Air National Guard, a volunteer tutor, volunteers at the YMCA, referees youth basketball games, supports the Special Olympics and participates in ALS fundraising events. Eric is a five-year employee of Kroger Co. He was nominated by Mona Alson.

"As a company, Kroger is very committed to serving our local communities," said Bob Moeder, Kroger president. "We believe customer service and community service are integral parts of the same purpose. We deliberately seek ways to honor those associates whose community service and leadership inspire others. We also invest considerable financial resources in supporting our communities. Eric demonstrates community service in a truly inspiring way. I envy his energy and tireless passion. I am very proud of Eric and so are the more than 15,000 members of the Kroger Central Division family who selected him for this award."

The Kroger Central Division has 153 food stores, 128 pharmacies and 53 fuel centers operating under five banners -- Kroger, Scott's, Owen's, Hilander and Pay Less -- with locations primarily in Indiana and Illinois, in addition to five stores in Missouri, one in Michigan and one in Ohio. Kroger Central Division is dedicated to supporting every local community it serves, contributing more than $10 million in 2008 to local organizations, primarily focusing on hunger relief, K-12 education, health causes and diversity. Kroger values honesty, respect, inclusion, diversity, safety and integrity.

[Text from Kroger news release]