ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks, Hawks Cheerleaders and mascot Harry the Hawk surprised customers with games, gifts and groceries at Kroger in Atlanta’s Edgewood Retail District on Thursday, Nov. 20 as part of the NBA Cares Season of Giving.

“We’re honored to play for and represent our great city,” said David Lee, SVP of External Affairs for the Atlanta Hawks and Executive Director of the Atlanta Hawks Foundation. “We wanted to find a meaningful way to thank our fans for their support and we were delighted to work with Kroger to create a unique experience that shoppers, and our team, will not soon forget.”

The team entered the supermarket at 2:00 p.m. and proceeded to meet and greet shoppers, as some players and coaches joined patrons as they walked the aisles to secure items on their grocery lists, while others spent time preparing meals in the deli and bagging groceries at checkout stations.

“Kroger is honored to partner with the Atlanta Hawks as we give thanks to our customers and associates this holiday season,” said Glynn Jenkins, Director of Communications and Public Relations for Kroger’s Atlanta Division. “We are excited to give back to the community in this fun and memorable way.”

Shoppers were deligted to receive school supplies, team gear and ticket vouchers from their unexpected shopping partners, and select customers were given the ultimate surprise when they learned their entire purchase would be covered by the Atlanta Hawks.

The Hawks Activation team was on-site and gave away items to customers who maneuvered their way through a shopping cart obstacle course. Customers received Kroger gift cards and Hawks-themed sunglasses, socks, stickers and environmentally-friendly grocery bags.