Compaq Launches Campaign To Help Feed the Hungry.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 31, 1998--Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ) today announced an aggressive project to donate food on a regular basis to local agencies supporting hungry people in need. The company launched the innovative campaign concurrent with the grand opening of The Compaq Commons facility at the firm's worldwide headquarters campus in northwest Harris County.

Also, Compaq announced that Sodexho Marriott Services - North America's leading contract catering provider - will manage all cafeteria and food preparation, employee take-home meals program, and convenience store facilities at The Compaq Commons. Assisted by Sodexho Marriott, Compaq's new anti-hunger project will donate excess perishable and non-perishable food on a regular basis to agencies supporting the needy through The End Hunger Network "Food Loop" Program.

"Compaq's new food redistribution program is a great example of our commitment to the local community," said Hans W. Gutsch, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Organization and Environment. "This is a unique opportunity to help those in need by rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste."

Compaq becomes the first corporate participant in End Hunger - Houston's ongoing food donor program, which includes 83 restaurants, hotels, caterers, and hospitals.

"If the other major employers in Houston would follow Compaq's lead, we could really make huge inroads on the hunger problem locally," said Lise Cameron, Executive Director of the End Hunger Network.

The End Hunger Network of Houston, a member of the national FoodChain, is one of the few organizations equipped to distribute both perishable and non-perishable food products to area non-profit organizations. The End Hunger Network will pick up food from cafeterias at The Compaq Commons and Compaq Cypress locations by refrigerated truck on a weekly basis. (Compaq Cypress is located off Highway 290 and houses Compaq Services employees.)

History of Support

Compaq has worked with End Hunger on special projects in the past. For example, the company donated excess food as it hosted Innovate Forum '95 and Innovate Forum '97 - major computer industry conferences which brought thousands of attendees from all over the world to Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center. During these conferences, the End Hunger Network redistributed unused food during the three-day conferences, including more than 50 catered dinners held at various Houston-area restaurants and hotels.

"With Innovate, we collected more food than we'd ever collected in a three -day period outside the peak Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season," said Cameron. "Usually, corporations and caterers just think of donating food during the holiday season. With children out of school, food pantries and shelters are desperate for food during the summer. Because of Compaq, hundreds of needy people ate well that week."

As a result of this earlier success, the company approached Sodexo Marriott and the End Hunger Network early in The Compaq Commons planning stages to evaluate the feasibility of donating food from the facility on a regular basis.

The End Hunger Network distributes sandwiches, vegetables, meat, salads, and desserts to more than 20 Houston-area food agencies. Approximately 3.5 million meals have been provided to hungry Houstonians since the End Hunger "Food Loop" was started in April of 1985. In 1997, the End Hunger Food Loop distributed 206,000 pounds of prepared and perishable food.

Organization Backgrounds

Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation is a Fortune Global 100 company. Compaq is the second largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of personal computers. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, networking and communication products, commercial desktop and portable products, and consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices.

Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products are available at http://www.compaq.com or by calling 1-800-OK-COMPAQ. Product information and reseller locations are available by calling 1-800-345-1518.

End Hunger Houston is a member of the national organization FoodChain. To learn more about hunger and food waste in America and what agencies are doing to help, visit Food Chain's web site at www.foodchain.org/C1.htm. You can also learn about End Hunger's program called Hunters for the Hungry by visiting http://www.texashuntingandfishing.com/stophunger. This statewide program provides low-fat venison to Texas' hungry. The meat is donated by hunters via meat processors to food banks throughout Texas.

Compaq, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

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