FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 13, 2006

CONTACT: Joyce Smart, Corporate Communications, 864.286.2867

BI-LO CHARITY CLASSIC TO BENEFIT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS


MAULDIN, SC – The 2006 BI-LO Charity Classic raised over $5.5 million in this year’s 23rd annual golf event, which took place on June 12 in the Upstate of South Carolina. This breaks the tournament’s record of $4.5 million set last year.

Recognized as the largest one-day benefit golf tournament in the United States, the BI-LO Charity Classic hosted more than 1450 golfers for the weekend’s events. The tournament raises funds for charitable organizations in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.

"The money we raise significantly impacts thousands of people where we have supermarkets, so we’re really thrilled with the $5.5 million," said Dean Cohagan, BI-LO’s president and CEO. "We help kids, education and hunger relief charities with grants from the BI-LO Charity Classic and each year it seems like the needs increase. Employees at each store work hard to meet the goals set, and it is because of their hard work that this year’s tournament surpassed 2005 by over $1 million."

During the banquet Monday night, a large check for $5.5 million was unveiled, and Cohagan expressed his gratitude to vendor partners. “This year our vendor partners not only continued their commitment to sponsor the tournament, many also increased their giving. This tournament means a lot to all of us.”

Founded in 1984 as a fundraiser for Meals On Wheels of Greenville, BI-LO’s annual golf tournament has raised more than $33 million since its inception. Meals on Wheels organizations in all four states that BI-LO serves receive funding from the Charity Classic, helping these groups serve over 14,000 meals to the elderly and disabled every day of the year.

In addition to corporate grants, each BI-LO supermarket receives $1,000 from tournament proceeds to assist a charity in their community. For the third time this year, the stores also had a local campaign asking customers to donate $1 to their charity. BI-LO supermarkets raised over $630,000 with the scan donations, all of which will stay in their own communities.

BI-LO/Bruno’s operates 340 stores in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. The company employs approximately 26,000 people.

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