Supporting Homeless Children with Essential School Supplies

A Collaborative Effort to Aid Homeless Children

Kroger is excited to announce the sale of Mission Grounds Gourmet Coffee in all its Southeastern stores, including those in Georgia and Atlanta. This summer and fall, the proceeds from these coffee sales will be directed towards supporting homeless children in Atlanta. Mission Grounds Gourmet Coffee, a non-profit organization, has pledged that all profits from these sales will benefit children in local homeless shelters around Atlanta. The organization is partnering with the Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness to maximize the impact of this initiative.

The Scope of the Initiative

The goal is to assist all 4,500 homeless children in Atlanta by providing them with school supplies, shoes, toiletries, clothes, and other necessities. The sales period from July to September is crucial, as all proceeds during this time will be allocated to back-to-school supplies for these children.

Expansion Plans

Kroger plans to introduce Costa Rica gourmet coffee to all its Georgia stores in July, followed by a rollout to its Southeast and Florida markets in August. Jerry Moreton, Southeast Vice President, expressed optimism about the initiative, stating, "We really hope the coffee does well and we are able to help thousands of children." He emphasized Kroger's commitment to community support and local vendors, highlighting the dual benefit of aiding a local coffee vendor while supporting homeless shelters.

Mission Grounds Gourmet Coffee: A Non-Profit with a Global Reach

Mission Grounds Gourmet Coffee is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping children in need, both in the United States and internationally. The organization supports children in the US, China, Russia, Costa Rica, South Africa, Kenya, and Venezuela by providing food, shelter, clothing, books, and school supplies. They also offer monthly support to orphans in several countries and are involved in significant construction projects, including building schools and orphanages.

Current Projects and Future Plans

Mission Grounds is currently engaged in constructing its second school in China and its first orphanage in Venezuela, both expected to be completed by Summer 2008. Future plans include additional schools and orphanages in China and Venezuela, with potential projects in South Africa, Nigeria, and Sudan.

In Atlanta, Mission Grounds collaborates with the Jars of Clay shelter, providing new kitchen appliances, craft materials, book bags with school supplies, winter clothes, and playgrounds. For more information, visit Mission Grounds.

Kroger: A Legacy of Community Support

Kroger, one of the largest retail grocery chains in the United States, is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2008. With over 310,000 associates serving customers in 2,486 supermarkets and multi-department stores across 31 states, Kroger operates under various local banners, including Ralphs, Fred Meyer, and Food 4 Less. The company also runs 782 convenience stores, 394 fine jewelry stores, and 696 supermarket fuel centers, along with 42 food processing plants.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger focuses its charitable efforts on hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local schools and grassroots organizations. For more information, visit Kroger.

Interesting Statistics

• Homeless Children in the U.S.: According to the National Center for Homeless Education, over 1.5 million public school students experienced homelessness during the 2017-2018 school year (NCHE).
• Impact of Homelessness on Education: Homeless children are 87% more likely to drop out of school compared to their housed peers (NCHE).
• Kroger's Community Contributions: In 2020, Kroger donated over $328 million to various charitable causes, including hunger relief and community support (Kroger).

By purchasing Mission Grounds Gourmet Coffee at Kroger, you are directly contributing to the well-being and education of homeless children in Atlanta. This initiative not only supports local vendors but also strengthens the community by providing essential resources to those in need.