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Winter Food Drive Launches at Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstore Locations Across Ontario

Toronto, ON (December 8) – As of last Friday, Ontarians are able to support their local food bank when they visit Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstore locations across the province.  During the Winter Food Drive, customers are encouraged to make food or financial donations when they visit participating stores.  All donations go to support local food banks and provincial hunger relief efforts.

Food banks across the province are projecting an increased need over the coming months.  Recently, the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) reported that the number of people turning to food banks has increased by thirteen percent over last year.

“We have seen a substantial increase in the number of Ontarians turning to food banks,” said Adam Spence, Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Food Banks.  “In addition, we know that the coming winter months are going to be very tough for many of our neighbours.  The Winter Food Drive comes at a critical time.”

Traditionally, food banks rely on the Winter Food Drive to provide up to three months worth of supplies.  However, there is some concern in the food bank community that, given current economic conditions, food supplies will need to exceed those of previous years in order to ensure they are able to meet demand through the winter.

“At this time of year, we all need to come together in support of our neighbours, families, and friends,” said Inge van den Berg, Vice President Public Affairs and Investor Relations for Loblaw Companies Ltd.. “Loblaw hopes that our communities will help meet needs locally and across the province.”

The Winter Food Drive will run until January 1st, 2009.

The Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) is a network of over 100 food banks including communities across the province from Ottawa to Windsor, and Niagara Falls to Thunder Bay.  For more information about the OAFB, as well as hunger and poverty in Ontario, please visit www.oafb.ca.

About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada’s largest food distributor and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ over 140,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada’s strongest control (private) label program, including the unique President’s Choice®, no name® and Joe Fresh Style® brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers President’s Choice financial services and offers the PC points loyalty program.

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For further information, contact:
Adam Spence, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Food Banks, Work: 416.656.4100 Mobile: 416.543.0897
David Primorac, Senior Director, Loblaw Companies Ltd., Work: 905-459-2500 x3634 or E-mail: david.primorac@loblaw.ca.

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