Loblaw Companies commits an additional $300,000 in support for fire relief efforts

BRAMPTON, ON, May 5, 2016 /CNW/ - Loblaw Companies Ltd has committed $300,000 in support for relief efforts in Fort McMurray, including cash donations, and provisions of essential food and health supplies. In addition, in less than 24-hours, customers in stores across the country have donated more than $120,000 and 1.6 million Shoppers Optimum points to help displaced residents.

"Our thoughts are with our colleagues, customers and those living in and around the Fort McMurray area," said Bob Chant, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Loblaw. "During times of tragedy, Canadians band together to support our neighbours and we are overwhelmed at our customers' generosity so far."

The company has committed to a cash donation of $150,000 to the Canadian Red Cross. Additionally, through its network of more than 2,400 stores across the country, Loblaw has mobilized a disaster relief effort in each of its businesses to provide comprehensive support to those in Fort McMurray:

• Loblaw grocery is providing essential food, water, and pet food to emergency shelters and to the Canadian Red Cross, and has enabled customers wishing to support to donate in store.
• Shoppers Drug Mart will match the donation of Shoppers Optimum points, to a maximum of $25,000. The donated points will go toward required health and beauty products.
• PC Financial will provide special treatment on lending and credit card product payments as well as crediting client accounts for any fees caused by overdrafts, insufficient funds, or use of non-PC Financial bank machines.
• PC Insurance's underwriters have catastrophe teams on the ground – affected customers to call 1.877.251.8656 for claim information

The company will continue to work closely with the Canadian Red Cross and local government officials to get supplies to residents and support their resettlement.

About Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX: L)

Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unitholder 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 company's 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; no-fee banking with PC Financial; 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