Forbes names Kroger America's most generous company

The Kroger Co., which includes its Utah-based division Smith's Food & Drug Stores, was recently named America's Most Generous Company in a Chronicle of Philanthropy listing in Forbes magazine.

Kroger contributed 10.9 percent of its $589 million pre-tax profits — $64 million — to charity in 2009, the year Chronicle of Philanthropy used to make its evaluations.

In 2011, with support from associates, customers and suppliers, Smith's Food & Drug donated $8.1 million worth of products and cash to local nonprofit organizations. Of that amount, the company donated $3.5 million in Utah, including $1 million to Primary Children's Medical Center foundation for charity care; $552,243 in undesignated cash contributions to schools from kindergarten through the 12th grade; $30,000 to Susan G. Komen & American Cancer Society to support breast cancer prevention and treatment; and enough food through Smith's Perishable Donation Program to create more than 737,000 meals for those in need.

"Smith's is extremely proud to play a strong role within a company recognized as a leader in charitable giving," said Smith's President Mark Tuffin. "We believe that in working with local nonprofit organizations Smith's makes an impact helping others. That desire to support the communities in which our associates live and work is a priority in every Kroger division, including Smith's."

Forbes compiled two lists, one detailing companies donating pre-tax profits and a second based on raw numbers. In the article spotlighting Kroger, writer Susan Adams said, "The list we think is most meaningful is the one showing companies that are most generous in their cash donations as a percentage of pre-tax profits. Kroger tops that list."

Kroger is the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer. More than 338,000 associates serve customers in 2,458 supermarkets and multidepartment stores in 31 states under two dozen banner names, including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's.

The Cincinnati-based company also operates 786 convenience stores, 361 fine jewelry stores, 1,014 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food-processing plants in the U.S.