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Ralphs Grocery Company Launches Charitable Campaign to Benefit Children's Hospitals

Ralphs customers and associates can support their local children's hospital through the supermarket chain's nonprofit arm, The Ralphs Fund, by donating their spare change in collection canisters located at the checkstands in their neighborhood Ralphs supermarket.

Southern California children's hospitals that will benefit from the charitable fundraising drive include:

    --  Children's Hospital of Orange County
    --  Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles
    --  Loma Linda University Children's Hospital
    --  Mattel Children's Hospital (UCLA)
    --  Miller's Children's Hospital (Long Beach)
    --  Rady Children's Hospital (San Diego)

"Ralphs believes strongly in giving back to the communities our stores serve," said Mike Donnelly, Ralphs president. "We're pleased to extend our commitment to community service to our local children's hospitals. We cannot think of a better way to invest in our communities than by giving families and children hope through our support of the outstanding work these hospitals are doing to provide world-class medical care for children."

Since 2005, Ralphs, its associates and customers have given more than $1 million to children's hospitals in Southern California. This year, Ralphs has set a goal of raising $170,000 for children's hospitals.

"Our ability to support the great work being done by our Southern California children's hospitals is a direct result of the dedication of our team members and the generosity of our customers," Donnelly said. "Even during this time of economic uncertainty, Ralphs is proud to be able to continue to help children and families have a healthy future."

Last year, Ralphs provided more than $6 million in cash and in-kind donations to organizations focused on health, education, the fight against hunger, developing our youth, and the environment.

Ralphs Grocery Company was founded in 1873 and currently operates 256 supermarkets from its headquarters in Los Angeles. The company is a division of The Kroger Co., (NYSE: KR), one of the nation's largest food retailers, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more about Ralphs, please visit our web site at www.ralphs.com.

SOURCE Ralphs Grocery Company