Coinstar Launches Turn-Key Philanthropic Initiative for Supermarket Partners; Retailers Can Now Tailor Coins That Count Program to Support Local Non-Profits.

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2000

To assist its retail partners in meeting their philanthropic goals, Coinstar Inc. today announced that it is offering supermarkets a custom-tailored, cause-related opportunity through its successful Coins That Count program.

Through Coins That Count(R), Coinstar will utilize its network of coins-to-cash machines to serve as a donation collection vehicle on behalf of retailers. The company will also manage and track all donations, and handle payments to the charity on behalf of the supermarket. Retailers need only choose the charities they would like supported. Coinstar will also lend promotional support to retailers through machine signage and attract mode screens.

"Supermarket retailers have always been philanthropic leaders, supporting charitable efforts that help improve the neighborhoods and communities in which they do business," said Dan Gerrity, president and CEO of Coinstar. "Through Coins That Count, we hope to provide supermarkets with a level of fundraising and marketing support that will enable them to assist local non-profits in exceeding their donation goals."

By partnering with retailers, Coinstar expects the turn-key program to not only help supermarkets implement local philanthropic programs, but also provide neighborhood charities with an added opportunity to expand their donor base.

Coinstar has already started reaching out to its supermarket partners and expects several more retailers to introduce programs as early as this spring. Pennsylvania-based Giant Foods Inc. -- which includes the Giant, Martin's and Edward's nameplates -- will launch its customized Coins That Count program on May 15. The program is in support of Our Kids II Inc., the retailer's own foundation which gives to Children's Miracle Network hospitals throughout their marketing areas. Metro Foods is also planning to launch a customized version of Coins that Count on May 15. Metro Foods will raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

BI-LO will launch a similar effort on behalf of its BI-LO Bags Hunger program which gives to local food banks. The program, which kicks-off in June, will be available in 183 BI-LO stores.

Coinstar launched Coins That Count in 1997 as a way to use its coin-counting technology to harness much needed funding for the nation's many worthy non-profits and causes. To date, the program has raised more than $1.4 million nationally for UNICEF and other non-profits in select local markets such as Houston and Seattle.

Through Coins That Count, Coinstar customers are given the opportunity to cash in their loose change or donate it to a participating non-profit. Customers simply pour their spare change into the Coinstar machine, and through a series of on-screen prompts, can designate the charity they wish to donate to by entering the corresponding Charitable Organization Identification Number (COIN). The machine then automatically sorts and counts the coins and provides the user with a tax-deductible receipt for the full value of the donation.

About Coinstar Inc.

Recently ranked the country's eighteenth fastest growing technology company, Coinstar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSTR) and its subsidiaries, Meals.com and Coinstar International, use technology to deliver time and money saving services to consumers in their local supermarkets. Coinstar's 7,500 strong network of machines is currently available to 125 million consumers in 40 states and the District of Columbia, as well as worldwide in Canada and the United Kingdom. Consumers can visit www.findcoinstar.com or call 1-800-928-CASH to find the nearest Coinstar(R) machine.