MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S. — Horizon Milling, a Cargill joint venture, and The Kroger Co. announced on Jan. 18 a donation of 10 truckloads of self-rising flour to Feeding America and its nationwide network of food banks.

Food banks in Kansas, Kentucky, California, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Missouri will share in the donation. The product — more than 180,000 two-pound bags of flour — will assist hundreds of hunger-relief agencies serving these communities. The flour will be distributed to individuals and families and used by community kitchens, Kids Cafés, shelters and other organizations that prepare meals for people at risk of hunger.

“This is one of the largest donations of flour Feeding America has ever received. It is a very important item for our agencies, because it can be used in so many different ways and has such a long shelf life,” said Ross Fraser, Feeding America’s director of media relations.

Cargill and Kroger are long-time supporters of Feeding America. Both provide major financial and in-kind contributions, and the companies’ employees provide thousands of hours of volunteer support every year to local and national hunger-relief programs.

“We are very pleased to work in cooperation with our customer, Kroger, on this donation. We share a common commitment to address hunger issues in our communities,” said Horizon Milling President Dan Dye.

The wheat used to produce the flour was sourced from Midwest growers. The Kansas Food Bank in Wichita, Kansas, U.S., was the first Feeding America food bank to receive a truck-load of donated flour.  Within the first week, more than 4,000 pounds have been distributed across the food bank’s network. Dillon Stores, a division of The Kroger Co., works closely with the Kansas Food Bank to serve communities in that region.

“As a partner with the Kansas Food Bank, the team at Dillons is delighted to serve our neighbors across Kansas with this flour donation,” said Dillon Stores President Joe Grieshaber. “With much of the wheat grown in the Heartland and milled locally in Wichita, the flour will not only nourish our Kansas families, but serves as an extension of our Midwest compassion to the entire nation.”

“While it may seem somewhat uncommon to receive flour, this donation is one with tremendous reach in helping Kansas families in need,” said Kansas Food Bank President Brian Walker. “Flour can be used in so many ways, which makes this staple item so meaningful. Time and time again, our friends at Cargill and Dillons continue to offer a hand in support, and we are so thankful for their generosity.”