SODEXHO USA NAMES EIGHT 'HEROES OF EVERYDAY LIFE' FOR 2005

GAITHERSBURG, MD, June 7, 2005 - Sodexho USA, the nation's leading provider of food and facilities management services, and its independent charitable organization, the Sodexho Foundation, announced today its “Heroes of Everyday Life” for 2005. This title is given annually to Sodexho employees for their dedication and unique contributions toward fighting hunger in their local communities.

“Sodexho has a long history of fighting hunger and the mission of the Sodexho Foundation is to create a hunger-free America with a focus on children and families,” said Stephen J. Brady, president of the Sodexho Foundation. “The success of the Sodexho Foundation is dependent on our employees. Without the support and dedication of our employees and the 'Heroes of Everyday Life' we are honoring, we would not be able to make an impact in the fight against hunger.”

This year's heroes were selected for their commitment and leadership in their local communities, including volunteering for hunger-related organizations, coordinating food drives and raising funds for local food banks and food rescue organizations. Additionally, these employees were recognized for their innovative approach to helping to address the root causes of hunger and for their ability to motivate others to join in the fight against hunger.

The Heroes of Everyday Life were recognized at the annual Sodexho Foundation dinner held on June 6, 2005, in McLean, VA. The Honorable Alexis M. Herman was the keynote speaker for the event.

“We are a rich nation and many people don't think hunger is a problem anymore. Today, nearly four million US households experience hunger, and 14 million children wake up in the morning not knowing whether they'll have enough or anything to eat that day,” said Herman during her keynote address. “Sodexho has a deep commitment to improving the quality of life for those among us who are less fortunate and I am so full of admiration and respect for the achievements of the Sodexho Foundation in helping fight hunger across this nation.”

Herman was America's 23rd Secretary of Labor and was the first African American to head the department. She is currently the chair and chief executive officer of New Ventures, Inc. and serves as a member of Sodexho's Advisory Board. Joining Ms. Herman was Raul Magdaleno, a recipient of the Sodexho Foundation's Hispanic College Fund Scholarship. Mr. Magdaleno, a student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, discussed the “real world” impact of the Sodexho Foundation and its programs.

In addition, a $5,000 grant from the Sodexho Foundation is made in each 'hero's' name to the hunger-related charity of their choice.

Sodexho's 2005 “Heroes of Everyday Life” are:

. Paul Allard, Quincy, Massachusetts
The fight against hunger needs leaders to make a difference, and the best leaders are both determined and patient-qualities that Paul Allard possesses in spades. Through his dedication to supporting the work of the Pine Street Inn organization over the last 10 years, Paul has served more than 17,500 meals to New England's homeless. Most recently, Paul has been instrumental in motivating other Sodexho employees in the New England region to join him in the fight - more - Page three of five--Sodexho USA Announces “Heroes of Everyday Life” against hunger. His outstanding recruiting efforts have resulted in many new volunteers and participants for fundraising activities.

. Verlando (Lee) Frazier, Cherry Point, North Carolina
Sodexho and the U.S. Marine Corps share a deep-rooted concern for the well-being of the American public, and thanks to Lee Frazier's efforts, they've joined forces to fight hunger at MCAS Cherry Point. Lee has been a driving force in hunger-related programs at the base and was invaluable in getting the Marines to adopt the STOP Hunger program there. Lee also prepares and serves meals for various hunger relief organizations and has coordinated canned food drives for Religious Community Services and the Onslow Community Soup Kitchen.

. Sharon Lee Hope, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
To make a difference in the fight against hunger, one needs to have a long-term commitment to the cause, and few people possess greater determination and spirit than Sharon Lee Hope. For the past 20 years, she's worked tirelessly to help defeat hunger in the Greater Milwaukee region by volunteering to prepare, package and deliver dozens of meals for clients of the SHARE program throughout the community. And she's been instrumental in recruiting Marquette students to volunteer for SHARE. In addition, Sharon also provides support at a local women's shelter and teaches nutrition classes for low-income women through The Campus Kitchens Project at Marquette.

. Doug Klunk, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Doug Klunk is proof that a single individual can indeed make a huge difference in the fight against hunger. Doug volunteers his time in support of a program called “Wednesday Night Out” that provides hot meals to about 40 low-income youth and adults in Minneapolis each month. Since 1998, Doug has served over 2,900 meals as part of this program and has recruited other Sodexho employees to join in the fight against hunger. In addition, Doug was instrumental in bringing The Campus Kitchens Project to Augsburg College.

. Charles Mattocks, Jr., CEC, CCA, Florence, South Carolina
Education is one of the key components in the fight against hunger, and for the last five years, Charles Mattocks, Jr. has served as the lead instructor for the American Culinary Federation's “Cooking is for Kids” program, which is designed to provide classes for children on proper nutrition, resulting in a healthier community. Charles is also a leader for the local “Caring Cans” annual canned food drive that coincides with Sodexho's annual Servathon. Since 1999, this effort has led to more than 27,000 pounds of food being donated to the Harvest Hope Food Bank in Florence and Columbia, South Carolina. Additionally, Charles has been involved with other fundraising efforts that have provided more than $30,000 in aid to local disadvantaged families.

. Michael Nagorka, Asheville, North Carolina
It didn't take much to motivate Michael Nagorka to join Sodexho's ongoing fight against hunger. Upon learning about the work of the Sodexho Foundation, Michael created a comprehensive plan to encourage Sodexho employees, as well as the students and staff at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, to get involved in the fight. Since 2002, Michael has coordinated the preparation and donation of hot meals for the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, a monthly program that benefits those at risk for hunger in the local community. Michael has also been instrumental in coordinating special “Caring Cans” and “Soup-n-Sandwich Donation” programs during Sodexho's annual Servathon.

. Alice Sutton, Burlington, Vermont
Being an effective combatant in the fight against hunger does not have to be complicated, as Alice Sutton has proved for more than two decades with her cardboard boxes. Since 1980, Sutton has been collecting canned food from donors at the University of Vermont by simply placing cardboard collection boxes around campus with a sign explaining that the items are destined for the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf in Burlington. Alice's simple but effective strategy to fight hunger in her area has resulted in the collection of over 42,000 pounds of canned and non-perishable food over the years for the Food Shelf.

. Carol Thomas, San Jose, California
Demonstrating the innovative spirit that is a Sodexho hallmark, Carol Thomas became involved in the fight against hunger in 1990 as a volunteer in the annual “30 Hour Famine,” a fundraising event sponsored by World Vision. Inspired by the effectiveness of this effort, in 2004 Carol created “Chef Fast, ” a program in which Sodexho chefs raise money for the Sodexho Foundation and build awareness for the fight against hunger by collecting pledges for a 24-hour fast. In just two years, “Chef Fast” has raised more than $17,000 for the Sodexho Foundation.

About The Sodexho Foundation
The Sodexho Foundation (www.sodexofoundation.org) is an independent charitable organization that is leading the fight against hunger by supporting initiatives that focus on eliminating the root causes of hunger in the US. Administrative costs are paid by Sodexho USA to ensure that all money raised is directed to those in need.

Sodexho USA (www.sodexoUSA.com) is the leading provider of food and facilities management in the United States, with $6 billion in annual revenue and 110,000+ employees. Sodexho USA offers innovative outsourcing solutions in food service, housekeeping, grounds keeping, plant operations and maintenance, asset management, and laundry services to more than 6,000 corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, military and remote sites in North America. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD, Sodexho USA proudly serves as the official food service provider for the US Marine Corps.