Fort McMurray Shoppers Drug Mart reopens following recent wildfires

BRAMPTON, Ontario -- With the return of residents to Fort McMurray Wednesday, Loblaw Companies announced that its fundraising effort has resulted in a donation of close to $5 million for those impacted by the recent wildfires.

"The outpouring of support from our customers and colleagues has been overwhelming, resulting in our largest-ever fundraising campaign," stated Bob Chant, SVP corporate affairs and communication, Loblaw Companies. "We recognize the residents of Fort McMurray have a long journey ahead of them and we hope that these funds can help in the rebuilding their community."

The donation is a combination of a number of efforts across the company's businesses in addition to the $300,000 financial commitment to the Canadian Red Cross, including:

• 
  $280,000 worth of essential food and health provisions for evacuation centres and first responders from Loblaw grocery;


• 
  More than $4.2 million in cash donations collected at Loblaw grocery stores and Shoppers Drug Mart stores;


• 
  76 million Shoppers Optimum points donated


• 
  47,000 Joe Fresh clothing items for displaced residents; and


• 
  $25,000 from Shoppers Drug Mart to be put towards health and beauty aids for evacuees.

Wednesday also marked an important milestone for the company in Fort McMurray as one grocery store, one gas bar and one drug store will reopen to serve residents. The Shoppers Drug Mart at River City Centre on Franklin Avenue and the Real Canadian Superstore and Gas Bar at 9 Haineault Street both opened yeserday.

Work continues on three Shoppers Drug Mart locations, the Extra Foods store and Gas Bar and two Real Canadian Liquor stores with hopes of reopening in the next few days.

"I want to thank our colleagues, associate-owners and their staff for their tremendous effort in getting these stores ready to serve residents," Chant said. "What would normally take six weeks took these teams just six days to achieve, truly demonstrating the commitment and compassion they have for their neighbours."