LOBLAW HELPS STOCK FOOD BANK SHELVES WITH $250,000 DONATION TO FOOD BANKS<br>CANADA

BRAMPTON, ON, Oct 6 /CNW/ - To help address the year-round challenge of keeping food on the shelves at community food banks across Canada, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) today made a donation of $250,000 to Food Banks Canada's National Food Sharing System. This is the second consecutive year that Loblaw has made a corporate donation to the program. Additionally, Loblaw has set a goal this year to raise 1.2 million pounds of food and $1.35 million across the country to help feed Canadians who rely on a food bank during the Company's Extra Helping™ National Food Drives.

"Loblaw has a strong history of supporting local food banks," said Peggy Hornell, senior director, Community Investment, Loblaw Companies Limited. "As Canada's largest grocery retailer, we are committed to being active in the communities where we have grocery stores. Through our donations to Food Banks Canada's National Food Sharing System and our Extra Helping™ National Food Drives, our goal is to help address hunger across the country."

Food Banks Canada's National Food Sharing System works to acquire and share major food donations to support food banks across the country. Donated food is transported to provincial food bank associations and in turn is distributed to local food banks to utilize for their food programs that assist hungry families and individuals in their communities.

"Last year we acquired and shared over 10 million pounds of food through our National Food Sharing System and it is thanks to contributions from partners like Loblaw that we are able to ensure a stronger more stable system that ensures that food can be shared across the country," said Katharine Schmidt, executive director, Food Banks Canada. "We are very appreciative of this contribution and the long-standing support that Loblaw provides to raise awareness about hunger in Canada during its national food drives."

The 2010 Extra Helping™ Holiday Food Drive officially kicks off November 25 in Quebec and November 26 in Ontario, Atlantic Canada and Western Canada in Loblaw corporate and participating franchise stores across the country.  Loblaw customers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items or make a cash donation. In addition to the Extra Helping™ Holiday Food Drive, leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, food donation bins will be available in select Loblaw corporate and participating franchise stores across the country for customers wishing to donate non-perishable food items. 

Loblaw corporate and participating franchise stores taking part in the 2010 Extra Helping™ Holiday Food Drive: Loblaws®, Loblaw Great Food™, Fortinos®, Zehrs®, Zehrs Great Food™, Your Independent Grocer®, valu-mart®, nofrills®, Extra Foods®, Dominion® (in Newfoundland and Labrador), Atlantic SaveEasy®, Atlantic Superstore®, Provigo®, Maxi® and Maxi & Cie®,. Real Canadian Superstore®, and Real Canadian Wholesale Club® in Western Canada.

Loblaw corporate and participating franchise stores are committed to being active in communities at the local, regional and national levels and the Company views this as an integral component to the success of its business. One of Loblaw's commitments to Corporate Responsibility is to Make a Positive Difference in Communities.  The other Loblaw corporate social responsibility principles include Respect the Environment, Source with Integrity, Reflect our Nation's Diversity and be a Great Place to Work.

About Food Banks Canada

Food Banks Canada is a national charitable organization representing the food banks community across Canada.  Its members and their respective agencies serve approximately 85 per cent of people accessing emergency food programs nationwide.  Its mission is to meet the short term need for food and find long-term solutions to reduce hunger.  Please visit www.foodbankscanada.ca for more information.

About Loblaw Companies Limited

Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food distributor and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ over 138,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control (private) label program, including the President's Choice® no name® and Joe Fresh Style® brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers President's Choice Financial® services and offers the PC® points loyalty program.

For further information:

Loblaw Public Relations Department
[phone] or [email protected]

Marzena Gersho
Director Partnerships and Programs
Food Banks Canada
(Work) 416-203-9241 ext.28
(Cell) 647-242-5919
[email protected]