Albertson's Inc. Joins With Pillsbury to Launch the Third Annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Cookie Decorating Event to Support Big Brothers Big Sisters Affiliates Across the U.S.

City Desks

BOISE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 21, 2000

Albertson's family of stores Thursday announced that they are partnering with The Pillsbury Co. to support Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) agencies nationwide.

Throughout the month of October, Albertson's customers will join together to help support their local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency and celebrate the Third Annual Cookie Decorating events in 36 cities around the country.

Big Brothers Big Sisters adult mentors and children will join the Pillsbury Doughboy(TM) at local Albertson's stores to generate awareness for local Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies.

The Bigs and Littles can show off their talents by decorating cookies, interacting with the community and talking about the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, which provides participating BBBS agencies with a unique opportunity for community outreach and recruitment.

To show appreciation for the BBBS volunteers who unselfishly give their time, a random drawing will be held at each of the 36 participating stores where a BBBS participant will win a trip for four to Universal Studios BBBS Day in Los Angeles in December of this year.

To generate a higher level of public awareness of BBBS and interest in mentoring, a consumer sweepstakes will be tied-in whereby consumers will submit photos of decorated cookies and one grand prize winner will also receive a trip to join the Bigs and Littles at Universal Studios.

Throughout September and October, Albertson's and Pillsbury will make donations totaling $175,000 to local Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates around the country. Albertson's and Pillsbury have donated more than $450,000 over the last 3 years to local BBBS affiliates around the country.

"The Pillsbury Company and Albertson's are both committed to making a difference in our communities. We want to help build awareness for Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates in our market areas," stated Michael Kirchner, national customer team leader for Pillsbury's Albertson's team.

"By making this donation to local Big Brothers Big Sisters, we have reinforced our commitment to enhancing the lives of our nation's youth," 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 provide financial support and build awareness for nonprofit organizations that help young people.

The Customer Community Partnerships program is one component of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America'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.

Pillsbury, a Minneapolis-based subsidiary of Diageo plc produces a range of grocery items, frozen foods, and refrigerated dough products for international consumer markets, including North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Far East.

The company is also a major supplier of baking and other food products to the foodservice and commercial baking industries. The company's portfolio of leading brands includes Pillsbury Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Haagen-Dazs, Progresso, Hungry Jack, and Totino's.

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 nonprofit organizations focused on hunger relief, youth & education, and health & nutrition.

"We appreciate the donations from Albertson's, in cooperation with Pillsbury," said Judy Vredenburgh, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. "Partnerships like this help us reach our national growth goals of serving one million children in need annually."

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) has been the nationally recognized leader in youth mentoring for almost 100 years. Big Brothers Big Sisters has provided meaningful relationships for millions of children through its more than 500 affiliated agencies reaching 5,000 communities nationwide.

National research studies prove that children with a Big Brother or Big Sister have more positive attitudes toward school, achieve higher grades, and have better school attendance. In addition, these children are less likely to use drugs and alcohol and exhibit violent behavior.

For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, check your local White Pages for the agency near you or check out the 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.