USO and Kroger’s Atlanta Division Host ‘Stuff the Truck’ Event, Collect Supplies for Military Service Members

By: Barry Morris

The USO recently teamed up with Kroger’s Atlanta Division – for a ‘Stuff the Truck’ event to collect supplies for military service members.

The event took place March 13 at the Glenwood Avenue Kroger store in Atlanta, located at 800 Glenwood Ave., from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

As part of the event, the public was invited to make donations to ‘Stuff the Truck.’ Donated items included protein bars, fruit snacks, hydration packs, and to-go peanut butter – all of which service members will enjoy during training or preparing for deployments.

“The USO is proud to uplift the U.S. military community with the help of our partner Kroger,” said Mary Lou Austin, Executive Director, USO Georgia. “This initiative offers the American people the opportunity to support and connect with those who serve and protect our country.”

Ever since the USO’s founding in 1941, the USO has provided our military and their families with a large variety of food support. Whether it’s providing snack care packages on the front lines or a meal at one of our 270 center locations, our food programs supplement the robust food offerings provided by the U.S. military.

Since 2010, Kroger and its customers have provided over $25 million in funding to help support the USO in providing various programs and services, including food programming, to over one million service members and their families in the Southeast, U.S., and many more across the globe.

“At Kroger, our mission is to feed the human spirit. Over the years, Kroger has proudly partnered with the USO to show our deep gratitude to our nation’s service members and their families,” said Tammie Young-Ennaemba, manager of corporate affairs for Kroger’s Atlanta Division.

Donations provided at the Glenwood Avenue Kroger store will have a huge impact on the military community, especially those who are preparing to deploy and currently serving as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

“It’s a warming feeling knowing that people actually do care, that all the stuff we have to go through and deal with that they have the time, money, and efforts to donate these items,” said U.S Army Sergeant Chris Cooper, in a previous interview.

From handing out snack care packages to activated National Guard members during hurricanes, to providing meals to local military families impacted by a natural disaster, the USO has a long history of providing meals and snacks to military communities during emergencies.

“Supporting our service members and their families is at the heart and soul of what the USO is all about,” said Christina Shively, Center Operations and Programs Manager, USO Georgia. “We are honored to partner with Kroger to strengthen our service members and their families through events like this where the local community can get involved, and we look forward to hosting many more with Kroger.”