Probably just extras to take the load off...for those calling in sick, etc.
Actually from the look of the reddits for kroger and clicklist (kroger pickup), they’re getting slammed.
they need the help just to get shelves stocked and orders picked.
people have (wisely) decided to limit their exposure in the store to umpteen hundreds of people who have coughed in that aisle in the past several hours and just pick up their orders. Still have to wipe it all down but at least you’re not in the store.