Fry's helps Yuma food bank

A local food bank will benefit from a statewide donation from Fry's Food Stores.

Fry's Food Stores, along with parent company Kroger, made a $10,528 donation to the Association of Arizona Food Banks (AAFB), according to a news release Tuesday from the organization.

The funds will help assess the prevalence of hunger and develop strategies to alleviate hunger. In addition, the funds will support the distribution of food to regional food banks throughout the state, with an emphasis on rural areas.

And the Yuma Community Food Bank is one of the them.

“We are so pleased to receive this generous support during a time of unprecedented need,” said Ginny Hildebrand, president and CEO of the AAFB. “Fry's is a tremendous community partner, and food banks and the families they serve will benefit greatly from their gift.”

It's all part of the Kroger campaign “Bringing Hope to the Table.”

According to the release, it's an annual cause-marketing partnership with Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the nation.

According to the Kroger Web site, 37 million Americans don't know where they will get their next meal. The Kroger Co. family of stores is donating a total $3 million in funds and $1 million in product nationwide to help those struggling with hunger.

Kroger chairman and CEO David B. Dillon said they've been helping fight hunger for 30 years. “As one of the national's largest retail grocers, we are continually looking for additional opportunities to support the hundreds of communities we serve.”

The AAFB is a nonprofit organization serving five member regional food banks and a network of nearly 1,700 food pantries and agencies. For more information, to find an area food bank or pantry or to learn more about donation and volunteer opportunities, visit www.azfoodbank.org.

Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857.