EAST TENNESSEE (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Kroger is joining forces with the East Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross to provide aid to those affected by the Smoky Mountain Fires.
Officials say it’s likely that 14,000 residents and visitors have been evacuated from Gatlinburg alone as wildfires continue to spread in East Tennessee.
Starting today, November 29, customer donations will be accepted at all Middle and East Tennessee Kroger stores, Northern Alabama Kroger stores, and Southern Kentucky Kroger locations.
All donations collected will be forwarded directly to the East Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross. The company will also make a $10,000 corporate contribution to the relief efforts.
To make a donation, Kroger customers can simply add any amount they wish to their total purchase at time of checkout. The amount of each tax deductible donation will appear on the customer’s receipt as a contribution to the American Red Cross. One hundred percent of the funds collected will be sent to the American Red Cross to aid those affected.
“We are thankful for this opportunity to work with the American Red Cross to lend a helping hand,” said Melissa Eads, Kroger spokesperson. “Kroger customers and associates have a history of giving during times of disasters such as these, and this one certainly hits close to home. We have stores in both Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, so a number of our customers and associates have been personally affected.”
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