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Vons Launches Store-Based Donation Effort; Shop & Care Program Gives up to $1 Million; Customers Say Where It Goes
Vons Launches Store-Based Donation Effort; Shop & Care Program Gives up to $1 Million; Customers Say Where It Goes
Published 03-01-06
Submitted by Vons
Under the program, Vons customers will accumulate donations when they purchase designated products. At the end of the program, customers can earmark their Shop & Care dollars for an organization from a list of broad-based charities. The program will run March 1 through March 30, 2006. The total donation can reach up to $1 million.
"Our customers know that lending a hand to community efforts is a very important part of who we are," said Tom Keller, Vons Division President. "By giving customers the power to direct donations, we help them become more involved in the donation process and we learn more about what charitable organizations are important to them."
When customers purchase participating products using their Vons or Pavilions Club Card, they accumulate a donation of up to 10% of the net purchase price. Participating products will be clearly marked by store signs and shelf tags. Other media, including in-store radio broadcasts, will be used to notify customers of this opportunity.
Shortly after the conclusion of the month-long program, when customers shop at our stores they will receive a register receipt showing the dollar amount accumulated and instructions on how to donate those funds. In Vons area of service, customers can donate to any of the worthy causes listed in the four giving categories below:
1. Hunger Relief - Community Food Bank of Fresno, Bakersfield Rescue
Mission, Las Vegas Salvation Army
2. Education and Culture - LA's Best, Boy's and Girls Club of Ventura
County, Junior Achievement of San Diego/Imperial Counties
3. Health and Human Services - City of Hope, Children's Hospital of
Orange County
4. Special Needs - Southern California Special Olympics and
cdifferent of Santa Monica
The categories - which correspond with key areas of Vons existing charitable outreach - take in a wide variety of non-profit organizations and community-based efforts. The specific charities in each category will reflect the needs and services in each local community.
"We understand that grocery shopping is a local experience. People buy their groceries in the same communities where they live and work. So when it comes to giving, our customers expect us to make a difference locally, and we do," Keller said.
Each year Safeway contributes more than $163 million in food and funds to local and national non-profits and charities. The company is a leading contributor to vital efforts such as America's Second Harvest, Easter Seals, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the American Cancer Society, Boys & Girls Clubs, Junior Achievement, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Prostate Cancer Foundation, schools, universities, hospitals and health clinics.
About Safeway
Vons, which this year celebrates its 100th Anniversary in the community, is a division of Safeway Inc. Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The company operates 1,775 stores in the United States and Canada and had annual sales of $38.4 billion in 2005. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.
Copyright Business Wire 2006
