NORWALK, CONN., Jan. 4, 2005 – In the biggest response in the store’s history, Stew Leonard’s three food stores, in partnership with AmeriCares, have raised more than $5,000 in just the first three days of a month-long fundraising campaign for Asia’s tsunami relief efforts, a company record.

All three Stew Leonard’s locations will be collecting donations for AmeriCares for the month of January at the store’s Wishing Well. In addition to customers who toss their spare change into the Wishing Well, Stew Leonard’s has set up a lock box at each store location where larger cash donations and checks made out to AmeriCares can be dropped.

“This is the biggest response we have ever had and demonstrates how profoundly this disaster has affected us. After the 9/11 tragedy, we raised $50,000, but this kind of initial response is unprecedented. The outpouring of support shows just how much our community cares,” said Stew Leonard, Jr. President and CEO of Stew Leonard’s. “Stew Leonard’s has also pledged to match customer donations. At the end of January, we look forward to presenting AmeriCares with the largest donation in the company’s history.”

The monies will go directly toward the relief effort, including medicines, medical supplies and water purification treatments. Already AmeriCares has mobilized emergency response teams and airlifts into Sri Lanka and India, with preparation underway for Indonesia. More than 140,000 people have died since last Sunday's devastating earthquake and tsunamis hit these countries and others.

“We are extremely grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support the local community has demonstrated in response to this horrendous disaster. Stew Leonard’s and the 250,000 customers that visit their stores each week and toss spare change into the Wishing Well can and are making a difference,” said Carolyn O’Brien, Senior Vice President of Development at AmeriCares.

To make a donation directly to AmeriCares relief efforts in Asia, visit www.americares.org or call AmeriCares directly at 1-800-486-HELP (4357).

AmeriCares is a nonprofit international disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs and supports long-term humanitarian assistance programs around the world. Since it was established in 1982, AmeriCares has distributed more than $4 billion in humanitarian aid to 137 countries. AmeriCares has been given a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest possible rating, indicating effective management practices. For every $100 donated, more than $3,000 of aid is delivered.

Stew Leonard’s, a family-owned and operated grocery founded in 1969, has three stores in Norwalk and Danbury, Conn. and Yonkers, NY. with a fourth store planned for 2005 in East Farmingdale, N.Y. The company was named among FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work for in America” for the past three consecutive years. For more information, visit Stew Leonard’s website at www.stewleonards.com.