November 21, 2011

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in cooperation with Kroger and FOX19, has the kick off of the annual “Food From The Heart’”campaign.

Since the annual holiday drive began 21 years ago, more one million pounds of food or more than 350,000 meals have been collected and distributed to local families in need. The live kick-off celebration  began at the Kroger Marketplace store in Newport, Ky. on Nov. 15 at as Kroger donated non-perishable products equal to 59,000 meals. The holiday food drive will run through Dec. 31, with donations of non-perishable items being collected at all Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Kroger locations. The items collected will be distributed to families in need by St. Vincent de Paul volunteers in neighborhoods across the areathroughout the holiday season. Cash donations to support St. Vincent de Paul can also be made at checkout coin boxes at all participating Kroger stores for the duration of the campaign. A $1 donation will provide 7 meals for local families. This year’s goal is 75,000 pounds or 215 barrels of food, which is more than 60,000 meals.

“Record high poverty numbers reflect the personal stories of struggle and hopelessness that we hear from our volunteers as they visit homes each week to provide neighbors in need with basic necessities – none more important than a nutritious meal,” said Liz Carter, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul-Cincinnati. “When our volunteers deliver donations from “Food From the Heart” directly to the neighborhoods in which they were collected, they help to ease the struggle and offer hope in every community across Greater Cincinnati.”

Collection barrels with ‘Food From The Heart’ signage will be located at all Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Kroger locations. There are three simple ways you can donate to a neighbor in need:

• Purchase non-perishable food items and drop them in the food collection barrels located at the store entrances.

• Drop a cash donation in the donation boxes at the check out counters at all Kroger stores  –  look for the clear plastic boxes with St. Vincent de Paul’s blue logo.

• Log onto St. Vincent de Paul’s website, www.SVDPcincinnati.org, click on the Give the Gift of Hope link and make a donation to help feed a local family in need while including “Food from the Heart” in the special instructions box.

St. Vincent de Paul serves local families in neighborhoods across the area. As a result, the food donated is quickly distributed in the neighborhoods where it is collected. A list of all participating Kroger stores wilis available on the St. Vincent de Paul website. For additional information please, contact St. Vincent de Paul at 513-562-8849.