Safeway Kicks Off National Campaign to Raise Funds To Assist People With Disabilities

Company Plans to Raise $5 Million for Local Easter Seals Programs

Safeway (NYSE:SWY) today announced the launch of a month long campaign during the month of April to raise funds for community-based programs to assist people with physical and developmental disabilities. The company will 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.

“Easter Seals is one of the leading providers of community-based services for individuals and families living with a disability,” said Larree Renda, Safeway Executive Vice President and Chair of The Safeway Foundation. “They are a trusted brand when it comes to helping people with disabilities overcome obstacles and lead normal, productive lives.”

During April each of Safeway’s 1,500+ stores in the U.S. will collect donations at checkout and hold special fundraising events. The company will also raise awareness of Easter Seals’ mission of caring for people with physical and developmental disabilities and special needs resulting from any cause -- whether diagnosed at birth or incurred through disease, injury or the aging process.

Easter Seals serves more than one million children and adults with disabilities and their families through a nationwide network of more than 450 service sites. According to Easter Seals, one in five Americans lives with a disability, highlighting the importance of these community-based programs to families throughout the United States.

Safeway is proud to partner with Easter Seals in 2007, marking more than 20 years supporting its programs. Since 1985, Safeway and The Safeway Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm, have helped raise nearly $78 million for Easter Seals.

“We’ve long counted Safeway among the most important corporate sponsors for Easter Seals,” said James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Easter Seals. “Their demonstrated abilities as a fundraiser and clear passion for the cause have translated into real improvement in our ability to deliver community based services to people with disabilities.”

Safeway’s campaign also includes informational outreach to customers and employees to raise awareness of Easter Seals’ mission of caring for people with any range of physical or developmental challenges. During April messages about Easter Seals will be posted on the Safeway.com web site, included in print and radio advertising, aired over the in-store radio network and featured in employee newsletters and company-wide broadcasts.

The April campaign coincides with Autism Awareness Month and Easter Seals’ effort to bring attention to the dramatic increase in the number of children and adults with autism. As the fastest-growing developmental disability in the world today, increasing at an annual rate of 10-17 percent, more than 1.5 million Americans currently live with autism and as many as one in every 166 children is diagnosed with the condition each year. With help from Safeway and other supporters, Easter Seals and the Autism Society of America plan to improve access to and delivery of local autism services and treatments for autistic people throughout the country.

Easter Seals is one of many important charities and causes that receive financial sponsorship from Safeway and The Safeway Foundation. In 2006 Safeway and The Safeway Foundation gave more than $154 million in donations and products to a wide array of causes. In addition to helping people with disabilities, the company supports hunger relief, education and health and human services programs, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and breast cancer awareness and research.