COLUMBIA, S.C. — Kroger has announced it will be giving away up to three free non-surgical N95 face masks to anyone who wants them -- while supplies last.
The Atlanta-based grocery chain with stores in Georgia, Eastern Alabama, and South Carolina, says the masks will be available in Kroger stores that have a pharmacy and the first shipments should be available as early as Thursday, Jan. 27.
Individuals wanting the masks just need to go to their nearest Kroger Pharmacy and look for the branded display or ask an associate for assistance to receive up to three of the masks.
The masks are made available through a partnership with the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Individuals will also be able to schedule COVID-19 vaccination or booster appointments at Kroger pharmacies using Kroger.com/covidvaccine.
On Thursday, a spokesperson representing Kroger told News19 that the company was still awaiting its distribution of masks from the Strategic National Stockpile and said that they would be made available as soon as they arrived.
And while some masks were expected as early as Thursday, the delivery schedule would vary from store to store.
Before making a special trip, the spokesperson suggested customers check with their local Kroger offices.
"It’s important to note that customers should not panic if the masks are not yet available at a particular store," she said. "The delivery may not have arrived just yet or is being processed. Once the store has received the masks and set up the display, customers can visit any local Kroger store with a pharmacy to pick up complimentary masks while supplies last."
