Retailer a good corporate citizen.(State of the Industry/The Chains)

RICHMOND, British Columbia -- For nearly as long as it has been in business, London Drugs has been helping the communities it serves through charitable contributions.

"We believe in giving back," says Wynne Powell, the drug chain's president and chief executive officer.

Helping community organizations has become increasingly important, since the economic downturn has caused consumers to curtail their own donations to charity, he adds.

"We like to fund the smaller entities that struggle to get the money they need," he notes. "The London Drugs Foundation works very hard to find these organizations and help them provide valuable services in their communities." …