Albertson's Food &Drug Stores and Pillsbury Support Big Brothers Big Sisters of America With $165,000 Donation.

Business/News Editors &City Desks

BOISE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 7, 2000

Nearly 2,500 Albertson's Food &Drug stores are partnering with The Pillsbury Co. to raise funds to support Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies nationwide.

Throughout the month of February, Albertson's customers will help raise money for their local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency through a 50th Anniversary Pillsbury BAKE-OFF(R) event by buying featured Pillsbury products.

In select markets, Big Brothers Big Sisters adult mentors and children will join the Pillsbury Doughboy(TM) at local Albertson's stores to celebrate the 50th Anniversary Pillsbury BAKE-OFF contest.

Volunteer mentors and children from the local Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies will participate in baking events to create a decorative design commemorating the anniversary. The BAKE-OFF event will also be an opportunity to recruit new volunteer Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Based on the generosity of Albertson's customers, Pillsbury and Albertson's will make donations totaling more than $165,000 to local Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies around the country. This donation comes on the heels of a $100,000 Big Brothers Big Sisters donation made by Albertson's and Pillsbury in 1999.

&uot;The Pillsbury Co. and Albertson's are both committed to making a difference in our communities. We want to help build awareness for the non-profit organizations that our retail customers are supporting in their local area,&uot; stated Warren Colter, national customer team leader for Pillsbury's Albertson's team.

&uot;By making this donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters, we have re-enforced our commitment to enhancing the lives of our nation's youth,&uot; stated Jenny Enochson, Albertson's corporate community relations manager.

The donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters is the result of the Customer Community Partnerships program that builds beneficial alliances between Pillsbury and grocery retailers in an effort to raise funds and build awareness for non-profit organizations that help young people.

The Customer Community Partnerships program is one component of BBBSA's multi-faceted partnership with Pillsbury. Pillsbury's philanthropic and volunteerism efforts are targeted toward helping provide caring adult mentors and role models who will help young people become self-sufficient and contributing members of the community.

Albertson's began with the dream of one man. Founder Joe Albertson opened his first store in Boise in 1939. Joe's simple philosophy of giving the customer the merchandise they want, at a price they can afford, complete with lots of tender loving care continues to guide Albertson's in its operation today of nearly 2,500 stores.

Albertson's stores have a reputation of being actively involved in the communities they serve by supporting non-profit organizations focused on health and nutrition, the fight against hunger and developing our youth. Albertson's has participated in numerous community-minded projects such as: Earth Day Groceries Project, Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, Project KidCare and Regalos Para Los Padres.

Launched in 1949, the Pillsbury BAKE-OFF(R) Contest is America's most prestigious cooking competition. One hundred creative cooks will win expense paid trips to the contest finals, to be held Feb. 26-29, 2000, in San Francisco and a chance to vie for the $1 Million Grand Prize.

To enter the national contest, contestants submitted an original recipe using one of the eligible products from Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso or Progresso. Recipe categories for this year's contest are Easy Weeknight Meals, Yummy Vegetables, Casual Snacks and Appetizers, and Fast and Fabulous Desserts and Treats.

&uot;The support of Albertson's, in cooperation with Pillsbury, will help local Big Brothers Big Sisters programs match more children in need with caring adults,&uot; said Judy Vredenburgh, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters. &uot;Partnerships like this help us provide the critical resources so necessary to increase the number of quality, one to one relationships. Thank you.&uot;

For almost 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has provided quality, meaningful relationships with caring adult mentors and children through its more than 500 affiliated agencies. A research study proves that children matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister are less likely to use drugs and alcohol, skip school and exhibit violent behavior.

For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, check your local White Pages for an agency near you or check out Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's Web site at www.bbbsa.org. For additional information, contact: Janie Roach, The Market Connection, 949/851-6313 or Jenny Enochson, Albertson's Inc., 208/395-5610.