As the new year begins, The Kroger Co. of Michigan, in collaboration with Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, extends a heartfelt invitation to Kroger customers to help nourish neighbors within our communities. By contributing non-perishable food items during Gleaners’ food collection weekends at 80 Kroger stores across Wayne, Macomb, Oakland, Monroe, and Livingston counties, customers can directly support families and individuals facing food insecurity. These food collection events are part of Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan, aiming to end hunger in local communities and eliminate waste across the company by 2025.
Starting January 4 and running through January 25, Kroger shoppers will be greeted by Gleaners volunteers handing out lists of much-needed nutritious foods and personal care items for donation. Volunteers will collect donations on Saturdays and Sundays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Gleaners encourages customers to donate items in boxes, cans, or plastic containers to prevent breakage during transport.
The food collection events are scheduled at select Kroger stores in the following counties on the dates listed:
- Saturday, Jan. 4 and Sunday, Jan. 5 – Wayne County
- Saturday, Jan. 11 and Sunday, Jan. 12 – Macomb County
- Saturday, Jan. 18 and Sunday, Jan. 19 – Oakland County
- Saturday, Jan. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 26 – Livingston & Monroe Counties
“We are proud to stand alongside Gleaners Community Food Bank in their January food drives, working hand in hand to make a meaningful impact. These drives are not just about providing meals; they are about empowering families to kickstart 2025 on a positive note,” said Cam Barrett, Corporate Affairs Manager for The Kroger Co. of Michigan. “The effort to overcome food insecurity cannot be won alone—it requires the collective strength of communities and organizations coming together. Together, we are making a difference, one meal at a time, as we strive for a future where no family goes to bed hungry.”
Gleaners is requesting donations of nutritious food items, as well as personal care items, such as:
- Canned protein (Tuna, Chicken, Beef)
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Hearty soups
- Dried whole grain pasta and rice
- Nut butters (Peanut, Almond, Cashew)
- Healthy cereals, oatmeal, and granola bars
- Pancake mix & syrup
- Protein shakes
- Personal hygiene products
“We are proud to partner with Kroger once again to help take the worry of hunger off the table for our neighbors across Southeast Michigan,” said Gerry Brisson, President & CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. “Every year, this food drive comes at a critical time when many of our partner agencies struggle to keep stock on their shelves for kids, families, seniors, and veterans facing tough times. Everyone benefits from a hunger-free community, and we know hunger can be solved when we come together to help one another.”
This marks the fourteenth year that Kroger and Gleaners have held collection events in January to address hunger. Last year, the five counties collected over 205,000 pounds of food for our neighbors through the Kroger and Gleaners collaboration.