SOBEYS HELPS FILL ATLANTIC FOOD BANKS WITH OVER $1 MILLION IN FOOD AND FUNDS

STELLARTON, NS, Dec. 11 /CNW/ - Sobeys customers, employees and suppliers have come together to raise over $1,000,000 in food and cash donations for food banks throughout the Atlantic provinces. In just four weeks, the Fill the Food Bank. Fuel the Community fundraising campaign exceeded Sobeys' expectations.

"When we saw the total, it was a very emotional moment," said Cindy Stevens, Vice President, Marketing, Sobeys Atlantic, and the campaign chair for Fill the Food Bank. Fuel the Community. "This is a reflection of the extraordinary commitment that Sobeys customers, employees and suppliers across the Atlantic region have to the well-being of our communities."

Since November 12, 2010, fundraising initiatives have been under way throughout Sobeys's network of more than 300 stores, retail support centres, TRA Atlantic Wholesale Cash & Carry locations and corporate offices in Atlantic Canada.

All food donations and funds raised will directly support food banks and food bank associations in the Atlantic Provinces. The campaign wrapped up today with store rallies and radio broadcasts at 16 stores across the region.

Fill the Food Bank. Fuel the Community mobilized the entire Sobeys Atlantic network with community fundraising initiatives at all retail stores including Sobeys, Foodland, Price Chopper, Needs, Clover Farms and Fast Fuel locations. In addition, customers were able to purchase $2 Fill the Food Bank. Fuel the Community paper ornaments or donate non-perishable food items at any Sobeys, Foodland, or Price Chopper location. 

In Atlantic Canada, almost 75,000 individuals turned to food banks for assistance in March 2010. Of these, more than 26,000 were children. (Source: Food Banks Canada, the national charitable organization representing the food bank community across Canada.)

About Sobeys Inc.
Sobeys Inc. is a leading national grocery retailer and food distributor headquartered in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited (TSX: EMP.A), Sobeys owns or franchises more than 1,300 stores in all 10 provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Price Chopper and Thrifty Foods, as well as Lawtons Drug Stores. Sobeys Inc. is committed to providing the most worthwhile experience for its customers, employees, franchisees, suppliers and shareholders. More information on Sobeys Inc. can be found at www.sobeyscorporate.com.

Atlantic Food Bank Associations:

Feed Nova Scotia Dianne Swinemar, Executive Director          213 Bedford Highway Halifax, NS B3M 2J9 [phone] x222

NB Food Bank Association / Grand Falls Regional Food Bank Association        Glenn Rioux 363 Portage Road Grand Falls, NB E3Z 1M2 [phone]

Community Food Sharing Association Eg Walters, General Manager        PO Box 6291P St John's, NL A1C 6J9 [phone]

Upper Room Food        Bank Mike MacDonald, Manager PO Box 1177 Charlottetown, PE C1A 7M8 [phone]

Sobeys Atlantic Communications & Public Affairs:
Shauna Turple
Specialist, Communications and Corporate Affairs
Sobeys Atlantic
902-752-8371 ext 8118
[email protected]