Shoppers at The Kroger Co. family of stores can celebrate World Wish Day by purchasing specially-marked sweet treats to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The products hit bakery shelves in Kroger-operated supermarkets in 31 states, including Kroger, Ralphs, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Smith's, Fry's, King Soopers, Dillons, QFC, City Market and Jay C stores. Participating items include Wish Chip Cookie, Lemon Ice Twinkles, Shooting Star Sugar Cookie, Toasting Waffle and Pearl Sugar Waffle.  

Generating a minimum contribution of $100,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the promotion will support World Wish Day on April 29, the Make-A-Wish Foundation's global celebration of wish granting. To honor the date that sparked a global wish-granting movement more than 30 years ago, the Make-A-Wish Foundation is granting wishes in 41 countries where it fulfills children's wishes. More than 250,000 children with life-threatening medical conditions around the world have received their fondest wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"We are delighted to have Kroger shoppers support World Wish Day and join our worldwide effort to make every qualified child's wish come true through this first-time collaboration," said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and chief executive officer. "A wish experience brings increased happiness and self-confidence to children with life-threatening medical conditions, and Kroger will help us make that possible for even more kids across the country."

"Our family of stores is committed to helping parents take care of their families every day," said Lynn Marmer, Kroger's group vice president of Corporate Affairs. "We are pleased to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation provide additional support to those children and families facing extraordinary challenges."

Kroger, the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 338,000 associates who serve customers in 2,458 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The Company also operates 786 convenience stores, 361 fine jewelry stores, 1,014 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the U.S. Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local organizations in the communities it serves. For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com.