Loblaw Spring Food Drive Breaks Record

Customers support local food banks with record cash donations to Loblaw 2016 Spring Food Drive

BRAMPTON, ON, May 11, 2016 /CNW/ - (TSX:L) - This Spring, food banks across Canada were recipients of an outpouring of generosity, as Canadians from St. John's to Whitehorse donated more than $1 million and more than 600,000 pounds of food to Loblaw's annual Spring Food Drive. It was the most successful in the annual campaign's seven-year history.

"Each year, we ask our customers and our stores to help us support our neighbours in communities across the country. The generosity we saw this year was truly remarkable," said Bob Chant, senior vice-president of corporate affairs and corporate social responsibility, Loblaw Companies Limited. "I think the rise in donations reflects a heightened awareness of and engagement on social issues, particularly the need to deal with hunger in our communities."

Cash donations have increased by nearly 300 per cent over the last five years. This is welcome news for food banks which use financial donations to install food storage systems, purchase most-needed items, support hot meal programs and round out hampers with fresh perishables like milk, fruit and vegetables.

"Food and financial contributions made by customers and employees of Loblaw and its many banners provide a significant portion of the items in many food bank's hampers," said Pam Jolliffe, executive director, Food Banks Canada. "On behalf of all of Canada's food banks, I want to thank everyone for their contributions to this campaign."

Loblaw grocery stores have a long history of supporting local food banks through their partnership with Food Banks Canada. Since 2009, Loblaw stores have raised more than $13.6 million and more than 12.4 million pounds of food.

This is just one of the many initiatives Loblaw is undertaking as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts. The company focuses on activities related to sourcing, community and the environment, in areas where it can make the biggest difference. Details on this and other initiatives are outlined in the 2015 CSR Report, which can be found online at http://loblaw.ca/en/responsibility.html.

About Food Banks Canada
Food Banks Canada supports a unique network of food-related organizations in every province and territory, which assists more than 850,000 Canadians each month. Together our network shares over 200 million pounds of essential, safe, quality food annually, provides social programs that help to foster self-sufficiency, and advocates for policy change that will help create a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit foodbankscanada.ca for more information.

About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unit holder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, banking, and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,300 corporate, franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ approximately 192,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers.

Loblaw's purpose – Live Life Well® – puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the companies' stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than 1,050 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at more than 1,250 Shoppers Drug Mart® and Pharmaprix® locations and more than 500 Loblaw locations PC Financial® no-fee banking; affordable Joe Fresh ® fashion and family apparel; and three of Canada's top consumer brands in Life Brand®, no name® and President's Choice®. Through the PC Plus™ and Shoppers Optimum® loyalty programs, more than one in every three Canadians are rewarded for shopping with the companies.

SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited

please contact Loblaw public relations by email at [email protected], by phone at [phone] x612336