GNC JOINS FORCES WITH VITAMIN RELIEF, USA™ TO DONATE 24,000 BOTTLES OF VITAMINS TO AT-RISK WASHINGTON, D.C. CHILDREN

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 12, 2004 - General Nutrition Centers, Inc. (GNC), the largest global specialty retailer of nutritional supplements, has teamed with Vitamin Relief, USA™ to distribute 24,000 bottles of vitamins to needy children in Washington, D.C.

The 2,000 children who will receive the free vitamins throughout the school year take part in the federal Healthy Start program and are considered to be most at risk for nutrition deficiencies, which can lead to poor academic performance.
“Through this donation, thousands of needy children now have access to their recommended daily allowance of essential vitamins and minerals,