The Kroger Co. recognized 14,656 students nationwide as “Zero Heroes” through its youth engagement program, Zero Hunger | Zero Waste. The students were honored for their community service and volunteer efforts during the 2023-2024 school year. Student volunteer efforts in the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste program aid in the progress of a more comprehensive initiative, the United Nations Zero Hunger and Responsible Consumption and Production goals, which are two focuses of the organization’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Collectively, the honorees volunteered 107,175 hours, creating a community impact valued at $3.5 million.
“We are inspired and energized by our 2023-2024 class of Zero Heroes. These bright students reflect the spirit of our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste mission, and we are grateful for their dedication and achievements in communities from coast to coast,” said Denise Osterhues, Kroger’s Senior Director of Sustainability and Social Impact. “Their commitment to service is a great reminder that we can each make a big difference through everyday actions. By working together to fight hunger and waste, we can make a larger impact in our communities.”
Kroger partnered with InnerView in 2019 for the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste program, open to all U.S. students aged 14 to 24. The initiative provides student volunteer community service opportunities to combat hunger and waste. InnerView delivers a platform for students to find volunteer opportunities, track their service activities, and develop skills through projects that drive impact.
Since 2019, the program has included more than 46,425 Zero Hero participants. Students in the program engage in various activities, such as volunteering at soup kitchens, packing meals at food banks, organizing food drives, or starting school food pantries.
In addition to individual awards, Kroger established a Youth Advisory Council last year consisting of 15 student leaders from across the United States committed to working on essential issues such as hunger, responsible consumption, climate change, and recycling. The council members participate in Kroger-led sessions with guest speakers and design challenges focused on creating community impact projects aligned with the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste mission, facilitated with a Kroger charitable micro-grant contribution.
Learn more about the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste program here.
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