4.15.2008 - 10:55am ET

(CSRwire) CHICAGO, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Safeway is conducting its annual
in-store fundraising and awareness campaign to bring new hope and opportunities to thousands of people who live with disabilities. Safeway plans to raise millions of dollars to fund Easter Seals' autism and disability services, provide job training grants, and adopt athletes so they can participate in Special Olympics games throughout the country.

"We continue to be overwhelmed by Safeway's partnership and commitment to people living with autism and other disabilities," said James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Easter Seals. "Safeway is a national leader in providing job opportunities and helping fund local services that provide training and rehabilitation for millions of people."

Safeway was Easter Seals' top corporate donor last year, raising $6.8 million in 2007 alone. All told, the 22-year Safeway and Easter Seals partnership has raised more than $83 million to support Easter Seals services for children and adults with disabilities across the country.

"Helping people with disabilities has become a passion for Safeway, our employees and our customers," said Steve Burd, Safeway Chairman, President and CEO. "Our partnerships with Easter Seals and Special Olympics will bring more awareness to this important issue and provide opportunities for people with disabilities through these innovative programs."

During the campaign, customers at all Safeway stores in North America -- including Vons, Tom Thumb, Dominick's, Randall's, Genuardi's, Carrs and Pavilions -- will be asked to donate to Easter Seals at checkout. This year, the funds raised will help Easter Seals provide children and adults with autism and other disabilities early intervention and educational therapies, job training and employment, and family support services.

"We are excited about this year's campaign and our ability to reach millions of customers about such an important issue," said Larree Renda, Safeway Executive Vice President and Safeway Foundation Chair. "These partnerships with Easter Seals and Special Olympics will help Safeway touch the lives of so many people who live with a disability and we are so proud to make such a positive difference."

About Easter Seals

Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For nearly 90 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at http://www.easterseals.com or http://autism.easterseals.com.

About Safeway

Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,743 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $42 billion in 2007. Safeway supports a broad range of charitable and community programs and in 2007 donated more than $172 million, the equivalent of 20% of its net income, to causes such as cancer research, education, food banks and programs focused on assisting people with disabilities. To learn more about Safeway's sustainability initiatives, go to http://www.Safeway.com, click on "About Us" and "Going Green."

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