PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2007--Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY) was honored today for its record of supporting the employment of people with disabilities at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. hosted by the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR). Attending the event were members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives including Senator Christopher Dodd, retired Senator Robert Dole, Congressman John Tierney and Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher along with the directors of vocational rehabilitation agencies across the U.S.

"We appreciate the recognition and are proud of our longstanding partnership with the vocational rehabilitation agencies, which continue to be a valuable hiring resource," said Safeway Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Burd, who accepted the award for the company. "These are among our most productive employees, and we intend to build on this important program as a way of raising awareness and supporting people with disabilities."

Safeway currently employs nearly 10,000 people with disabilities in its stores and support facilities across the U.S. and Canada. The company was specifically recognized at today's ceremony for hiring 520 new employees in 2006 with various physical, sensory and developmental disabilities through CSAVR's network of agencies in the U.S. The Council also recognized Safeway for its history of hiring and retaining people with disabilities, and the company's proactive work in the community in sponsoring events that promote hiring and accessible customer service for people with disabilities. Safeway is a long-time sponsor of Easter Seals and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and has raised a combined $100 million for the two organizations over the last 20 years.

"We commend Safeway for its proactive efforts to provide real and lasting employment opportunities for people with disabilities," said CSAVR President Butch McMillan. "The company has an extraordinary record of creating job opportunities for people with various physical and developmental disabilities."

CSAVR is focused on maintaining and enhancing a strong, effective and efficient national program of public vocational rehabilitation services to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve the employment, economic self-sufficiency, independence, inclusion and integration into the community. The CSAVR-sponsored NET (National Employment Team) achieves these goals through productive partnerships with business. The NET provides qualified workers and support services to business customers through the national network of the 80 public VR agencies.

Earlier this month, Safeway launched a month-long campaign to raise funds for community-based programs to assist people with physical and developmental disabilities. During April the company plans to raise $5 million for Easter Seals, one of the most well respected organizations dedicated to helping people with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs.

ABOUT SAFEWAY

Safeway is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,761 stores in the United States and Canada and had annual sales of $40.2 billion in 2006. The company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY. The Safeway Foundation gave more than $154 million in donations and products to a wide range of causes in 2006. In addition to supporting people with disabilities, the company supports hunger relief, education and health human service programs, including the Prostate Cancer Foundation and breast cancer awareness and research programs.

Copyright Business Wire 2007

Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies is a leading food and drug retailer in the United States. As of February 26, 2022, the Company operated 2,276 retail stores with 1,722 pharmacies, 402 associated fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers and 20 manufacturing facilities. The Company operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia with 24 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market. The Company is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2021, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the Company contributed nearly $200 million in food and financial support, including approximately $40 million through our Nourishing Neighbors Program to ensure those living in our communities have enough to eat.

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