AMERICUS, GA--Building on its 57-year history of home improvement and community involvement, Lowe's has joined forces with Habitat for Humanity International to impact communities across the country. Donating $2 million to facilitate the construction of more than 100 homes, Lowe's will serve as the 2004 national underwriter of Habitat's Women Build program, and will be an active participant in a variety of Habitat projects from coast to coast.

"Lowe's well-established commitment to the communities it serves is a testament to the character of their company and their leadership. As a well-respected and successful national retailer of top quality building materials, they are a perfect partner for our organization," said Millard Fuller, Habitat's president and founder. "Their support will not only help us help more families achieve their dream of owning a home, but ensure a healthy future for a wonderful and rewarding Women Build program."

In 2002, Lowe's contributed more than $700,000 to Habitat affiliates through cash and in-kind donations as well as hundreds of hours of local employee volunteerism. Most recently, Lowe's co-sponsored Habitat's Jimmy Carter Work Project with Whirlpool Corporation, to build nearly 100 homes in three communities in one week. Expanding its commitment to Habitat, the company will now also underwrite the Women Build program, which actively engages women in the construction of Habitat homes, challenging and empowering them to make home ownership a reality for families in need.

"This relationship is a natural fit with Lowe's culture and is closely aligned with our business," said Robert Niblock, Lowe's president. "By supporting the Women Build program, we can support a cause our customers are passionate about and positively impact families by helping to provide affordable homes. Women Build also appeals to our strong base of female shoppers by inviting them to share their time and skills to build Habitat homes alongside Lowe's volunteers."

With Women Build, women celebrities, state first ladies and women from all walks of life work together to build a legacy of better housing for children whose health, growth and potential are threatened by substandard housing. Building Habitat homes enables women to address the crisis of substandard housing. Also, they transform lives by providing decent and safe places for children to grow. Women crews have built more than 450 Habitat homes since 1991.

In addition to Women Build, Lowe's continues to support scores of local Habitat projects across the country, including general builds and support for programs like the Campus Chapters and Youth Program (CCYP).

About Lowe's
In addition to Habitat for Humanity International, Lowe's is a proud supporter of the American Red Cross, United Way of America, the Home Safety Council and numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country. Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation awards more than $1.5 million annually to non-profit organizations across the United States. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a corporate-wide employee volunteer program addressing unintentional home injuries. Lowe's, a Fortune 100 company with fiscal 2002 sales of $26.5 billion, has more than 925 stores in 45 states. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife, Linda, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliates in more than 3,000 communities in 92 nations have built and sold more than 150,000 homes to partner families with no-profit, zero-interest mortgages. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Lowe's (NYSE: LOW) is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country. Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation awards more than $3 million annually to diverse organizations across the United States. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer program aimed at preventing unintentional home injuries. Lowe's, a FORTUNE(R) 50 company with fiscal year 2003 sales of $30.8 billion, has more than 1,050 stores in 46 states.

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