Canada Safeway Launches Haiti Disaster Relief Initiative

    
             Canada Safeway Foundation donates $100,000 to aid in
               Canadian Red Cross humanitarian relief efforts
    

CALGARY , Jan. 15 /CNW/ - Canada Safeway has launched a company wide initiative to provide humanitarian relief for people affected by the Haiti earthquake. The Canada Safeway Foundation will make a contribution of $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross in support of its disaster relief efforts. Safeway stores throughout Canada will immediately begin collecting financial donations for Haiti Disaster Relief at any Customer Service Counter. In addition, Safeway's corporate office and other non-store facilities will conduct employee fundraisers so the company's entire workforce can contribute to this important effort.

"The people of Haiti are in urgent need of clean water, safe shelter and the basic necessities of life. We know that our customers and employees will want to help in any way they can which will undoubtedly save lives and provide hope amid this tragedy," said President and Chief Operating Officer, Chuck Mulvenna.

Safeway and the Canada Safeway Foundation contribute to a range of important causes, including disaster relief. During the past decade the company mobilized its 30,000 employees to raise funds for several major humanitarian outreach efforts, including the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks, the 2003 BC forest fires, the 2005 South Asia tsunami disaster and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Together with the support from Safeway customers more than $1.5 million has been donated to the Canadian Red Cross for medical aid, food, shelter and relocation.

ABOUT SAFEWAY

Canada Safeway is a subsidiary of Safeway Inc. Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America , based on sales. Canada Safeway Limited operates 215 stores from Victoria to Thunder Bay in addition to several distribution centres and food processing and production facilities, under the banner Lucerne Foods. Voted one of Canada's Greatest Places to Work in 2009, Safeway has been recognized through numerous awards that celebrate the company's charitable and community programs in such areas as hunger relief, cancer research, and support for people with disabilities. In 2009 Canada Safeway contributed over $24 million in value to charity and community organizations. www.safeway.ca

For further information: Renée Hopfner, [phone], [email protected]