Safeway is launching a series of regional campaigns designed to provide food, toys and other services to the needy. The food drives will serve more than 2 million meals to families in need during the holidays. In all, the company is: Conducting more than 40 regional food drives, Sponsoring 18 major toy drives, and Collecting thousands of coats in communities throughout the United States and Canada.

“Now more than ever, helping individuals and families during the holidays and throughout the year is a critical part of Safeway’s community-based initiatives,” said Executive Vice President and Safeway Foundation Chair Larree Renda. “Given the current economic climate and the growing need, we are picking up the pace of our regional campaigns designed to provide an opportunity for our employees and customers to pitch in and make the holidays a little better for people in need.”

The campaigns come at time of the year when community organizations, particularly local food banks and hunger relief centers, have been stretched to capacity. In 2008, Safeway will provide more than $110 million in products and donations to these critical programs, making the company one of the largest supporters of hunger relief outreach in North America.