BIG Y RAISES $87,725 FOR BREAST CANCER

SPRINGFIELD, MA – (December 12, 2007) In order to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer, all Big Y Supermarkets donated proceeds from their entire produce department as well as additional select products throughout the store to the local Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundations in Massachusetts and Connecticut for the entire month of October. Customers were generous in helping to raise a total of $87,725 to these local charities during this first of its kind campaign. In addition, as part of Big Y’s largest manufacturer joint effort, customer purchases of hundreds of thousands of pink products such as specially marked Campbell’s soup, Thomas’ English Muffins or Cheerios benefited breast cancer organizations on a national level.

This month long initiative is the first of its kind for Big Y and for any other supermarket in the nation. The program is formally called, “Partners of Hope” in order to reflect the partnership, commitment and support of breast cancer awareness and research that are so vital for many.

According to Big Y CEO, Donald D’Amour, “we are delighted with these fantastic results from our first ever store-wide initiative to promote breast cancer awareness to our customers and our employees within our community. We plan to surpass these results during next October’s Partners
Of Hope campaign.”

The formal check presentation in  Connecticut was made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Connecticut Affiliate on January 10,2008. Governor Jodi Rell hosted the event at the state capital. In attendance (left ro right) Lou Golden, Vice President of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Connecticut Affiliate Board of Directors, Anne Giliberto, Executive Director, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Connecticut Affilliate, Governor Jodi Rell, Phil Schneider, Vice President of Sales, Big Y, Claire D'Amour-Daley Vice President of Communications, Big Y, Kathy Dinardi, Executive Assistant, Big Y, Jesse Burciaga, Store Manager, Big Y of Avon.

Headquartered in Springfield, MA, Big Y is one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England. Proud to be family owned and operated, they currently operate 56 stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts with over 9,200 employees. Founded in 1936 by brothers Paul and Gerald D’Amour, the store was named after an intersection in Chicopee, Massachusetts where two roads converge to form a “Y”.