Rogers Phones-for-Food High School Challenge engages Toronto students to collect used wireless devices to feed those in need

    TORONTO, Feb. 20 /CNW/ - Rogers Communications Inc. is engaging local
high schools in Toronto to help reduce e-waste and support local food banks as
part of the inaugural Rogers Phones-for-Food High School Challenge.
    Today at Daily Bread Food Bank, with the Honourable John Gerretsen,
Minister of the Environment, Ontario in attendance, Grade 12 students from
Earl Haig, Central Technical and RH King Academy High Schools entered the race
to collect as many used wireless devices as possible over the next month. The
school that gathers the most cell phones per graduating student by March 26th
will win $3,000 towards the graduating class's commencement ceremonies. Second
and third place schools will be awarded $1,250 and $750, respectively.
Participating schools will also receive the latest and slimmest XpressMusic
phone from Nokia at the end of the Challenge - one phone per school - to use
for their graduation fundraising initiatives.
    "We are thrilled to introduce the Rogers Phones-for-Food High School
Challenge to the students of Toronto," said Rob Bruce, President, Rogers
Wireless Inc. "Today's youth are more conscious than ever about the
environment and about the needs of their community. The Rogers Phones-for-Food
High School Challenge is designed to help high school students discover that,
individually and collectively, they can make a difference."
    "What Rogers Phones-for-Food is doing to reduce and help recycle
electronic waste is extremely important in making our province cleaner and
healthier," said John Gerretsen, Minister of the Environment. "The High School
Challenge is a great way to give students an opportunity to help the most
vulnerable people in our community and do their part to cut down on electronic
waste."
    The award-winning Phones-for-Food program began in 2003 as an initiative
by the Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB) in order to alleviate hunger
and divert waste from landfill sites. In addition to money raised through the
CAFB's thINK FOOD program, almost $500,000 has been generated for food banks
across the country to date. One wireless device, depending on its age and
condition, can be worth up to $5 when donated, which is the equivalent to a
jar of peanut butter, one carton of milk or even an entire meal.
    "Last year in Toronto more than 75,000 people accessed our food bank
every month," said Gail Nyberg, Executive Director, Daily Bread Food Bank.
"People of all ages rely heavily on our programs and it's great to see high
schools on board and helping out. And, Rogers has truly been a leader in
finding an easy and convenient way for its customers to donate their used
wireless devices and help a noble cause."Phones-for-Food Donations can also be made by:

    1.  Postage-paid recycling envelopes, included in-box with select new
        wireless device sales for Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and
        Samsung. Existing wireless customers can visit www.phonesforfood.com
        and download a postage-paid mailing label.

        Rogers Wireless is the only carrier in North America to offer a
        postage-paid, recycling bag with new devices. Since it was introduced
        in February, 2007, an additional 120,000 devices have been collected,
        generating nearly $200,000 for the program.

    2.  Donation boxes are available across the country at Rogers Wireless
        locations. A list of all participating locations is available on
        www.phonesforfood.com

    3.  Local community groups can register as a collection site at
        www.phonesforfood.com.About Rogers Communications Inc.
    --------------------------------
    Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications and media
company. We are engaged in wireless voice and data communications services
through Wireless, Canada's largest wireless provider and the operator of the
country's only Global System for Mobile Communications ("GSM") based network.
Through Cable and Telecom we are one of Canada's largest providers of cable
television, cable telephony and high-speed Internet access, and are also a
full-service, facilities-based telecommunications alternative to the
traditional telephone companies. Through Media, we are engaged in radio and
television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications,
and sports entertainment. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B), and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For
further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit
www.rogers.com.