American Red Cross Urges Public to Support Dangerously Low Disaster Relief Fund

American Red Cross
Monday, 14 July 2003

Coinstar Machines Allow Communities to Donate At Supermarkets Nationwide

The American Red Cross is appealing to the public for donations to its Disaster Relief Fund which has reached its lowest level in 15 years, following the recent severe weather and floodwaters from Tropical Storm Bill and this spring's rash of devastating tornadoes across America's heartland. Coinstar, a national fund-raising partner of the Red Cross, has mobilized its nationwide network of supermarket-based machines to accept financial gifts in the form of loose change for the Disaster Relief Fund which enables the Red Cross to provide food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to those in need.

The Red Cross is facing a financial crisis that could threaten its ability to provide vital lifesaving services to disaster victims in America. With a cash balance of only $1.5 million as of June 30, 2003, there is a call to action to help the organization replenish the Fund. Since July 2002, the Red Cross has spent more than $85 million responding to disasters, but has received only $26 million in charitable support.

"The Red Cross has been committed to helping disaster victims for more than 120 years," said Terry Sicilia, Executive Vice President, American Red Cross Programs and Delivery. "We hope that with the financial support of the communities in which we serve, we will raise the much needed funds to ensure our ability to respond to disasters whenever and wherever they may strike."

The relationship between Coinstar Inc. and the Red Cross offers a way for neighbor to help neighbor with as little as a handful of change. If just half of Americans donated one dollar of change through the Coinstar Center, more than $75 million could be raised to help replenish the Disaster Relief Fund.

"We support the efforts of the American Red Cross and want to let people know that Coinstar machines can take donations year-round," said Dave Cole, chief executive officer of Coinstar Inc. "Especially now with the Disaster Relief Fund running dangerously low, we encourage people to donate their spare change at the Coinstar machine during their next trip to the supermarket."

The Red Cross does not receive funding from the government and provides disaster relief services through volunteer financial support. As the Red Cross continues to prepare for a potentially destructive hurricane season, it is important to replenish the Disaster Relief Fund as one large storm could deplete the Fund completely. A comfortable threshold for the Fund is $56 million.

How to Donate

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Donations are being collected at Coinstar machines at local grocery stores across America. To find the nearest Coinstar machine, visit www.findcoinstar.com. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Also, contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make secure online credit card donations by visiting www.redcross.org.

Coinstar uses technology to deliver time and money saving services to consumers in their local supermarkets. Coinstar's network of more than 10,000 machines is currently available to 160 million consumers in 48 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom. Consumers can visit www.findcoinstar.com or call 1-800-928-CASH to find the nearest Coinstar machine.

For more information, or to contact American Red Cross, see their website at: www.redcross.org