Food Lion Family of Banners Raises $3.6 Million for Easter Seals Through Shop&Care Program

RALEIGH, NC, March 12, 2011 (Press-News.org) Easter Seals salutes Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food and Reid's stores for raising a record $3.6 million during their annual Shop&Care for Easter Seals program. The four-week program ended March 8 with unprecedented results - $1 million more than last year. More than 30,000 individuals in 11 states will continue to receive help and hope from their local Easter Seals affiliates thanks to the funds raised during this campaign.

"We celebrated our 20th Shop&Care anniversary year with Easter Seals in grand style," said Chris Blumenthal, corporate philanthropy manager of Food Lion Family, Bloom and Bottom Dollar Food. "Our valued customers along with each and every member of our team raised the bar this year in supporting Easter Seals. We're very proud of this year's results and the impact it will make in people's lives."

Shop&Care began 20 years ago with Food Lion stores in North Carolina. The campaign has since expanded to reach more than 10 million customers in Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food and Reid's stores along the East Coast. Easter Seals also partnered with national-brand manufacturers to sponsor special in-store promotions on more than 200 products, contributing nearly $1.4 million to this year's campaign total.

Food Lion also sponsored a $10,000 Shop&Care online challenge where more than 4.7 million votes were cast in support of customers' respective local Easter Seals affiliate. Easter Seals South Carolina had the most votes (1,627,387) and will receive an extra $10,000 from Food Lion. In total, more than $28 million has been contributed to Easter Seals since 1991.

"More and more consumers identify with a retailer who is also good corporate citizen. Food Lion and its sister stores are deeply valued partners of Easter Seals and are making a tremendous impact in the lives of those we have the privilege of serving here in North Carolina and throughout our network of Easter Seals affiliates in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states where Food Lion operates," said C. L. Cochran, president and CEO of Easter Seals UCP North Carolina & Virginia.

About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is the leading, national non-profit provider of services for individuals living with autism, developmental, physical and mental disabilities and other special needs. For 90 years Easter Seals has offered help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities and to the families who love them. For more information, visit http://www.eastersealsucp.com.

About Food Lion Family
The Food Lion family, based in Salisbury, N.C., operates more than 1,300 supermarkets, either directly or through affiliated entities, under the names of Food Lion, Bloom, Harveys or Reid's. These stores meet local customer needs and preferences for the freshest and best quality products. The Food Lion family employs approximately 74,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states. For more information, visit http://www.foodlion.com.

About Bottom Dollar Food
Bottom Dollar Food, based in Salisbury, N.C., operates 45 stores in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Bottom Dollar Food is a soft-discount grocer offering the most popular national brands and private brand products at everyday best prices. Bottom Dollar Food is redefining discount shopping with its lighthearted atmosphere and focus on fresh produce and quality meats. For more information, visit http://www.bottomdollarfood.com.