There is one basic staple that food banks across the country are always lacking, and local Kroger stores want to change that.

Gainesville Krogers are partnering with the Georgia Mountain Food Bank for the Feed a Childhood campaign from Sept. 4-17. Customers can purchase a $1, $3 or $5 voucher for the food bank to redeem for milk.

Milk is one of the most requested but least donated items at food pantries across the country, according to Hallie Parks with Duffey Communications in Atlanta.

According to a press release from Duffey Communications, the partnership between the grocery chain and the food bank is in support of the Great American Milk Drive, a partner of the organization Feeding America.

“Kroger is committed to supporting its local communities by providing fresh, nutritious milk for local food banks,” said Glynn Jenkins, public relations director for Kroger’s Atlanta division, in the release. “Every week, 5.4 million individuals are served through the Feeding America network, and with the help of our generous customers, the ‘Feed a Childhood’ program can help reduce that number.”

Feeding America is a nationwide nonprofit network of more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people. The Georgia Mountain Food Bank is part of the Feeding America network, and it serves Hall, Dawson, Forsyth, Lumpkin and Union counties. It has 22 food pantries in Hall County alone, with 15 Hall partner agencies.

To purchase a milk voucher for the food bank, go to the Kroger stores located at either 3630 Thompson Bridge Road or 1931 Jesse Jewell Parkway in Gainesville.

Parks said while these two Gainesville Krogers are partnering with the Georgia Mountain Food Bank, all Atlanta division Kroger stores are participating in the campaign and supporting their local food banks, with a goal of raising $150,000 in vouchers.

Last year, customers of Atlanta-area Krogers raised nearly $131,300 to provide milk for local food banks, which is equivalent to more than 48,000 gallons of milk.

Original article published by Kristen Oliver of Gainesville Times.