1,750 Safeway Stores Across U.S. and Canada Raise Funds for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

News Editors

PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 2001

More than 1,750 Safeway stores across the U.S. and Canada have begun a company-wide fundraising campaign to benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Over 18,000 of the company's checkstands display signs encouraging employees and customers to make monetary donations toward the disaster relief efforts underway to assist those affected by the recent tragic incidents and other disasters. Customers and employees may make donations by adding to their grocery order at the checkstand or at canisters placed at the registers.

Safeway will match contributions made at its stores up to a total of $50,000. These funds will also be contributed to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

"Now more than ever, we must all work together to help the victims and their families of this devastating tragedy. At Safeway, we want to lend a hand to help the Red Cross provide its lifesaving support," said Steve Burd, chairman, president and CEO, Safeway Inc.

"The American Red Cross is working around the clock to ensure that those affected by the tragedies of today have comfort and care," said John Clizbe, vice president of Disaster Services for the American Red Cross. "We are grateful that so many Americans including those from corporate America have demonstrated a willingness to help the Red Cross provide immediate relief to everyone who has been touched by these catastrophic events."

Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The company operates 1,754 stores in the U.S. and Canada and had sales of $32 billion in 2000. Its stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.

The company operates in 20 states and the District of Columbia under banners including Safeway, Vons (Southern California), Dominick's (Chicago), Randall's and Tom Thumb (Texas), Carr's (Alaska) and Genuardi's (Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley).

Safeway has a long-standing commitment to serving the public in times of crisis and supporting the communities where it operates stores by contributing more than $80 million annually to support hunger relief, health and human services programs, education and many nonprofit organizations serving local communities.

The American Red Cross is dedicated to saving lives, easing suffering and restoring hope at home and around the world. Currently operating on a budget of $2.7 billion, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to the victims of more than 67,000 disasters nationwide. Bernadine Healy, M.D. is president and CEO of the America Red Cross. Donations of spare change can also be made through Coinstar machines in grocery stores throughout the country.