Safeway Publishes 'Giving Report'

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway Inc., based here, yesterday published its "Giving Report," a 45-page magazine that recaps Safeway and The Safeway Foundation's charitable giving and community involvement activities across the United States and Canada.

During 2006 the company raised or donated more than $154 million to a variety of charitable causes, a record for the company. "The report illustrates Safeway's reach into the community through a series of stories about how the company's operating divisions get involved with broad range of charitable and community-based programs," said Larree Renda, Safeway's e.v.p. and chair of The Safeway Foundation. "The publication is an inspiring testament to the energy and generosity of our employees and customers, and their eagerness to support charities in the communities in which they live and work."

Specifically, the "Giving Report" details how Safeway's outreach and financial contributions have helped feed low-income families, provide medical treatment to those who can't afford it, serve hot meals to the sick and homebound, and enhance the lives of children with disabilities or life-threatening diseases.

Like the funds raised and donated in previous years, most of the record $154 million total for 2006 will stay in the communities where it was raised and aid local organizations and outreach efforts. "We take pride in making sure that the vast majority of what we raise and donate stays in the local communities and reflects what is important to our customers and employees," said Renda.

The following 2006 giving summary represents the combined efforts of the company's 200,000 employees at Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Dominick's, Carrs, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Genuardi's, and Pak 'n Save stores:

$110 million to hunger relief: The company donated a wide range of products to regional food banks, community pantries, and other meal-delivery services across its operating areas.

$22 million to education: Since 2000 Safeway has donated more than $130 million to support schools and education through the eScrip rewards program and other education enrichment programs. The company also sponsors a range of after-school and physical education initiatives.

$13.4 million to cancer research: Safeway has raised a combined $42 million for prostate and breast cancer research and treatment since 2000. In October the company raised a record $8.3 million for breast cancer programs at some of the top research institutions in the United States. Since 2001 Safeway has raised $24.2 million for breast cancer awareness, research, and treatment. In June the company raised a record $5.1 million for prostate cancer research, bringing its overall total for prostate cancer programs to nearly $18 million in the past six years. Through a longstanding partnership with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Safeway and its customers helped finance numerous vital cancer research projects worldwide.

$9 million to people with disabilities: One of the company's longest philanthropic relationships is with Easter Seals, which provides vital services to children and adults with disabilities. In 2006 Safeway raised nearly $4.3 million for Easter Seals, bringing its total support to more than $75 million since 1985. Similarly, the company and its employees held an annual fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in August, collecting more than $4.7 million to help people suffering from muscular dystrophy. Safeway has helped raise $11.3 million for the MDA since 2003.

The report, which is now available online at http://shop.safeway.com/corporate/safeway/community_caring.asp and will soon be available in print, includes giving and fundraising totals for 2000 to 2006.

Safeway operates 1,761 stores in the United States and Canada and had annual sales of $40.2 billion in 2006.
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