Help is available for area residents through a $20,000 grant Safeco Insurance recently gave to Food Lifeline, the food bank network of Western Washington. The company's desire to fight hunger as its holiday campaign is part of a larger, national initiative Safeco began with America's Second Harvest, the Nation's Food Bank Network - of which Food Lifeline is a member. The gift proved to be timely, not only for the holidays and the New Year, but because of the extreme weather that hit areas in which Food Lifeline serves.

As a member of America's Second Harvest, Food Lifeline serves 17 counties in Western Washington. With more than 250 neighborhood food banks, meal programs and shelters, it is imperative that Food Lifeline continues to build its capacity to procure more food to meet the increased demand from its member agencies. Safeco's $20,000 grant will go toward meeting these needs, which is doubly important at this time because many of Food Lifeline's agencies experienced a variety of hardships from the severe weather or saw an increased number of people seeking emergency services due to power outages.

"Safeco's generosity ensures that 120,000 meals will be provided to hungry people in the New Year. The company's ability to recognize a vulnerable segment of our society and then do something about it is remarkable. Food Lifeline is honored to be Safeco's community partner in its endeavor to end hunger in Western Washington," said Linda Nageotte, CEO and President of Food Lifeline.

Paul Hollie, Safeco Community and Media Relations leader, said the families will receive the benefits at a time when they desperately need help. Over these past few weeks, while much of Western Washington remained without power, Safeco's Claims professionals moved into place to get customer repairs moving quickly. At the same time, local Safeco volunteers pulled together to collect nearly 3,000 pounds of food to help those in need.

"Safeco employees consistently give generously during the holiday season and throughout the year," Hollie said. "In 2006, Safeco provided more than $4 million dollars of support to nonprofits in the state of Washington through corporate contributions and employee and retiree donations."

About Food Lifeline
Food Lifeline is the largest non-profit food bank distribution agency in Washington. Last year the organization delivered more than 21 million pounds of food to hungry people through its network of more than 250 neighborhood food banks, hot meal programs, shelters and other food providers. Food Lifeline is also a certified member of Americas Second Harvest national food bank network. For more information about Food Lifeline, please contact Holly Firmin, Food Lifeline Marketing Manager at (206) 545-6600, ext. 255 or log onto www.foodlifeline.org.

Safeco, in business since 1923, is a property and casualty insurance company based in Seattle. The company sells insurance products to drivers, homeowners and small businesses primarily through a national network of independent agents. To learn more about Safeco, visit www.safeco.com.

Contact Information
Contact: Holly Firmin
Marketing Manager
Food Lifeline
(206) 545-6600, ext. 255
hollyf@fll.org

Contact: Paul Hollie
Safeco Insurance
(206) 545-3048



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