Kroger Donation Expands Food Storage and Support for Families at The Salvation Army of Central Indiana

Families living at The Salvation Army’s Block of Hope in downtown Indianapolis will have more access to food thanks to a generous donation from Kroger. The company also recently donated an industrial-size cooler and freezer to The Salvation Army of Central Indiana, which will expand food storage capacity for families served at the Ruth Lilly Women & Children’s Center and the Barton Center, a low-income housing facility operated by The Salvation Army. Another donated freezer from Kroger is also at The Salvation Army Fountain Square, helping blooster its weekly food pantry distribution.

The new cooler and freezer will allow The Salvation Army to store more food and hold more of a variety for families to choose from when selecting food. In addition to supporting daily meals, the expanded storage will strengthen the organization’s food pantry, which helps supplement groceries families purchase on their own.

“Often, families living in our facilities come to us needing just a little extra to make it through the week,” said Major Malinda O’Neil, Area Commander of The Salvation Army of Central Indiana. “This donation from Kroger allows us to give more often, whether that’s providing fresh food, frozen items, or additional pantry staples that help families stretch their grocery budgets.”

The Ruth Lilly Women & Children’s Center provides safe housing and supportive services for women and children overcoming crisis, while the Barton Center offers affordable housing and stability for individuals and families working toward self-sufficiency. Both facilities are part of The Salvation Army’s Block of Hope, a campus designed to break cycles of poverty by addressing housing, food insecurity, and long-term stability.

Kroger representatives say the donation aligns with the company’s commitment to fighting hunger and supporting local communities.

“At Kroger, we believe access to food is fundamental to thriving communities,” said Eric Halvorsoon, Head of Communications and Public Affairs at Kroger. “By donating this industrial cooler and freezer, we’re proud to support The Salvation Army’s mission and help ensure families in Central Indiana have reliable access to the food they need.”

With the increased storage capacity, The Salvation Army can now accept and distribute larger food donations, reduce waste, and better meet the needs of families who rely on the Block of Hope for stability and support.