Results of the SAQ's Generous Wines campaign: $380,000 donated to Banques alimentaires Québec

MONTREAL, June 4, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - On May 25, 26 and 27, a large number of Quebecers took the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) up on its invitation and visited outlets to buy bottles of "generous" white wines. For each bottle of white wine sold, the SAQ promised to donate $1 to Banques alimentaires Québec (BAQ), while various suppliers upped the SAQ's donation by another $1 for certain wines. The enthusiastic participation of its customers and partners will enable the SAQ to donate $380,000 to BAQ to help provide food assistance in Quebec.

"We're pleased to note that, this year once again, our customers responded positively to our invitation and did both themselves and others a favour by choosing bottles from the extensive selection of white wines available in our outlets," said the SAQ's chief executive officer, Philippe Duval. "Our participation combined with that of the suppliers means Banques alimentaires Québec will receive an even bigger donation than they did last year. We're delighted to be able to make a real difference to Quebecers in need."

BAQ general manager Zakary O. Rhissa also expressed his pleasure with the announced results. "The SAQ and its partners have shown how impactful they can be for our organization," he said. "A donation of this size will not only facilitate our day-to-day operations, it will also make a huge difference in our ability to respond to the more than 1.2 million requests for emergency food assistance received every month. We are also extremely grateful for the generosity demonstrated by Quebecers and the partners."

About Banques alimentaires Québec
For nearly 25 years, the Banques alimentaires Québec (BAQ) network has supported and represented 18 members of the Moissons food banks across Quebec. The banks supply 1,064 community organizations that handle more than 1.2 million requests for emergency food assistance each month.

A member of Food Banks Canada, BAQ is the Quebec representative of the National Food Sharing System and for the HungerCount annual socio-economic report, which paints a picture of the people who rely on food assistance across Canada.
www.banquesalimentaires.org

About the SAQ
The SAQ's mandate is to sell alcoholic beverages and its mission is to provide superior service to the public in every region of Quebec by offering a broad range of quality products. The SAQ carries out this mandate through a network of some 400 outlets and 400 agencies. It sells nearly 11,000 products from some 65 countries.

In addition to its commercial mission, the SAQ fully assumes its role as a responsible corporate citizen by contributing each year to some 500 organizations and events across Quebec through its donation and sponsorship program. In fiscal 2011-2012, the value of these contributions totalled $7.4 million.
www.saq.com
www.facebook.com/saq

For further information:

Renaud Dugas
Media Relations Officer
Société des alcools du Québec
514 254-6000, ext. 6854
[e-mail]

Mélissa Lapierre-Grano / Frédérique Henry
Massy Forget Langlois Public Relations
514 842-2455, ext. 31 / ext. 23
[e-mail] / [e-mail]