Advance America Presents $50,000 Donation to Spartanburg Community Organizations

Contributions Will Support United Way of the Piedmont, Spartanburg Soup Kitchen

SPARTANBURG, S.C., July 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Advance America, the nation's leading provider of non-bank cash advance services, today announced $50,000 in charitable contributions to United Way of the Piedmont and the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen. The announcement also marked the end of the entry period for the company's "America Deserves a Raise" essay contest.

"We view the 'America Deserves a Raise' campaign not only as a way to acknowledge those individuals who form the backbone of our economy, but also as a way to give back directly to the communities we serve," said Ken Compton, chairman and CEO of Advance America. "The United Way of the Piedmont and the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen have long records of exceptional service in this community, and we are pleased to acknowledge their efforts with a well-deserved raise."

Each donation will support activities in the local Spartanburg community, where Advance America is headquartered. The United Way of the Piedmont will use the contribution to support its Gifts-In-Kind Center, which helps provide necessary supplies to more than 130 non-profit organizations that offer assistance to those in need.

The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen will use Advance America's contribution to help finance the construction of their new facility. Relying on private donations and the assistance of churches from around Spartanburg, the kitchen serves more than 550 meals each day to men, women and children, and recently experienced a 40 percent increase in the number of guests served.

"These organizations have spent countless hours serving hardworking individuals who find themselves in a tight spot," Compton said. "We believe their work speaks to the core foundation of our company - serving people where they live, work and raise families."

Advance America committed to donating $1 (up to $50,000) for every vote cast to decide the winner of its "America Deserves a Raise" essay contest and sweepstakes to honor and reward hardworking Americans. Entrants nominated someone they know, or themselves, for the contest's Grand Prize by submitting essays explaining why an individual "deserves a raise." The general public was invited to read and rate the stories on the contest's website to help determine the most deserving nominee. A panel of judges has begun reviewing the top 100 essays, and will announce the winners in August.

About Advance America:

Founded in 1997, Advance America, Cash Advance Centers, Inc. (NYSE: AEA) is the country's leading provider of non-bank cash advance services, with approximately 2,500 centers and 72 limited licensees in 32 states, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The Company offers convenient, less-costly credit options to consumers whose needs are not met by traditional financial institutions. The Company is a founding member of the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA), whose mission is to promote laws that provide substantive consumer protections and to encourage responsible industry practices. Please visit www.advanceamerica.net for more information.

SOURCE Advance America