Have you ever wondered if your everyday grocery shopping could actually make a difference in your community? Imagine that every time you pick up milk, bread, or your favorite snacks at Kroger, a portion of your spending goes directly to a cause you care about, without costing you an extra dime. Sound too good to be true? It's not! Thanks to the Kroger Community Rewards program, it's incredibly easy to link your Kroger Plus Card to a charity of your choice and turn your regular shopping into a powerful act of giving.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring you can confidently set up your account and start supporting your favorite non-profit organization today. Let's get started and make your grocery trips more meaningful!
How to Link Your Kroger Card to Charity: A Step-by-Step Guide
Linking your Kroger Plus Card to a charity is a straightforward process, primarily done online through your Kroger digital account. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Ensure You Have a Kroger Digital Account and a Kroger Plus Card
Before you can link your card to a charity, you need to have a Kroger digital account and a Kroger Plus Card (also known as a Shopper's Card). These are essential for participating in the Community Rewards program.
Sub-heading 1.1: Do You Already Have a Kroger Digital Account?
If Yes: Great! You're already halfway there. Make sure your Kroger Plus Card is linked to your digital account. If you're unsure, you can usually check this under your "My Account" settings on the Kroger website.
If No: No worries! Creating one is quick and easy.
Go to Kroger's official website (
) or download the Kroger mobile application.www.kroger.com Look for "Sign In/Register" or "Create an Account."
Click on "Sign Up Today" in the "New Customer?" box.
You'll be prompted to enter your zip code, select your favorite store, provide your email address, and create a password. Make sure to agree to the terms and conditions.
Kroger will send a message to your email inbox. Click on the link within the body of that email to finalize your account registration.
Sub-heading 1.2: What if You Don't Have a Kroger Plus Card?
No problem at all! You can easily obtain a Kroger Plus Card at the customer service desk of any Kroger store.
Alternatively, you can create a virtual card number online when you register for your digital account. This virtual card number can be used as your alternate ID at the register.
If you typically use your phone number at the register instead of swiping a physical card, and you don't know your Kroger Plus Card number, you can usually call Kroger customer service (e.g., 1-800-KROGERS or 800-576-4377 and select option 4) to retrieve it. This number will be crucial for linking.
Step 2: Access the Kroger Community Rewards Section
Once you have your digital account set up and linked to your Kroger Plus Card, you'll need to navigate to the Community Rewards section on the Kroger website.
Go to
. This is the direct portal for the Community Rewards program.www.kroger.com/communityrewards Sign in to your digital account using your email address and the password you created in Step 1.
After logging in, click on "My Account" from the top menu.
Scroll down the "My Account" page until you find the "Community Rewards" section. You might see options like "Enroll Now" or "Edit." Click on this.
Step 3: Search for and Select Your Desired Organization
This is where you choose which wonderful charity will benefit from your purchases!
Within the Community Rewards section, you will see a search bar or an option to "Find an Organization."
You can search for your chosen organization by:
Entering their name: Be as specific as possible to narrow down the results (e.g., "Habitat for Humanity" or "Local Animal Shelter Name").
Entering their NPO (Non-Profit Organization) number: Many charities will provide their Kroger NPO number on their website or in their newsletters. If you have it, this is the most direct way to find them.
A list of organizations matching your search criteria will appear.
Carefully review the list to ensure you select the correct organization. There might be several with similar names.
Once you've identified your charity, select it from the list and click "Save" or "Confirm."
Sub-heading 3.1: Important Considerations for Choosing a Charity
One Organization at a Time: Your Kroger Plus Card can only be linked to one organization at a time. If you wish to support a different charity later, you can always change your designation by following these steps again.
Annual Re-Enrollment: While the process is generally "set it and forget it," Kroger typically requires customers to re-enroll their chosen charity annually, often in April or May. You might receive an email reminder from Kroger about this. Don't miss this step to ensure continuous support!
Verify Enrollment: After saving your selection, your chosen organization's name should display in the Kroger Community Rewards section of your account. This is your confirmation that you are successfully enrolled. It can take approximately 7-10 business days for your purchases to start counting towards the rewards for your chosen organization and for the total to display on your receipt.
Step 4: Shop and Make a Difference!
Congratulations! Your Kroger Plus Card is now linked to your chosen charity. The hard part is over.
From this point forward, every time you shop at Kroger and swipe your registered Kroger Plus Card (or use your alternate ID/phone number linked to the card) at checkout, a percentage of your eligible purchases will automatically be donated to your selected organization.
You don't need to do anything extra, and it won't cost you a penny more! The donations come directly from Kroger.
Remember: Only purchases made with your registered Kroger Plus Card will count. So, always make sure to present your card or provide your alternate ID when checking out.
Sub-heading 4.1: What Counts Towards the Donation?
Most everyday purchases at Kroger and its family of stores will count towards the donation.
However, some exclusions apply, such as: alcohol, tobacco, government-assisted pharmacy expenses, postage stamps, Kroger Co. Family of Stores Gift Cards, Green Dot Prepaid Reloadable Products, MoneyPaks, 1-2-3 Rewards Reloadable Visa Prepaid Debit Cards, ReCharge Cards, American Express/Visa/MasterCard Variable Load Gift Cards, bottle deposits, lottery and promotional tickets, and money orders. Eligible pharmacy purchases include out-of-pocket co-pays for non-government assisted pharmacy programs.
By following these simple steps, you've transformed your routine grocery trips into a powerful way to give back to your community. Every little bit truly helps!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about linking your Kroger card to charity, with quick answers:
How to check if my Kroger Plus Card is linked to a charity?
You can verify your enrollment by signing into your Kroger digital account at
How to change the charity I support with my Kroger Card?
Log into your Kroger digital account at
How to find the NPO number for a specific charity for Kroger Community Rewards?
Many charities list their Kroger NPO number on their official websites, especially on "Ways to Give" or "Support Us" pages. You can also search by the charity's name directly on the Kroger Community Rewards portal.
How to ensure my purchases count towards the Kroger Community Rewards program?
Always swipe your registered Kroger Plus Card or provide the phone number linked to your digital account at the register during every transaction. Without it, your purchases will not be attributed to the program.
How to know how much my chosen charity has earned from my purchases?
You can view the total amount you earned for your selected organization during the last quarter by signing into your Kroger digital account, going to "My Account," and checking the "Community Rewards" section. It will usually be listed as "Last Quarter Kroger Donation."
How to get a Kroger Plus Card if I don't have one?
You can pick up a physical Kroger Plus Card at the customer service desk of any Kroger store, or you can create a virtual card number online when you register for your Kroger digital account.
How to re-enroll my charity with Kroger Community Rewards each year?
You'll typically need to re-enroll annually, often in April or May. Follow the same steps as initial enrollment: sign into your Kroger digital account, go to "My Account," and click "Edit" in the "Community Rewards" section to confirm or update your chosen organization.
How to link a phone number to my Kroger Plus Card for Community Rewards?
When you register for your Kroger digital account, you'll have the option to link your Kroger Plus Card number or create a virtual card using your phone number as an alternate ID. If your phone number is already associated with your account, it will work for the program.
How to contact Kroger customer service for Community Rewards issues?
You can typically find contact information for Kroger customer service on their website (
How to ensure my personal information is secure when enrolling in Kroger Community Rewards?
Kroger states that once you have enrolled, your personal information is secure. The program is designed to protect your data while facilitating donations to your chosen charity.