ST. LOUIS (Jan. 4, 2006) – Opus Northwest, L.L.C., announced today that it is making contributions totaling $120,000 to six area food banks in St. Louis, Denver, Kansas City, Mo., Portland, Ore., St. Paul, Minn. and Seattle. The St. Louis Area Foodbank will receive $20,000 to distribute food to more than 500 food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens and emergency feeding programs spanning 26 counties in eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois.

The St. Louis Area Foodbank works through community partnerships to bring hunger relief to children, the elderly and the working poor. The St. Louis Area Foodbank serves 43,000 different people each month and distributes more than 12.6 million pounds of food each year.

“This is one of the largest corporate donations we have received this holiday season and it came at a critical time of the year,” said Frank Finnegan, executive director of the St. Louis Area Foodbank. “Due to record energy costs, we are seeing an increase in people choosing between heating their homes and feeding their families this winter. With this donation many families won’t have to make that choice.”

“Giving back to the communities we serve is at the very core of who we are at Opus,” said John Pitcher, director of real estate, Opus Northwest – St. Louis. “We are proud to share our good fortune with those in need.” Opus Northwest is part of The Opus Group, a $1.4 billion real estate development company that contributes 10 percent of its pre-tax profits to community organizations.

About Opus Northwest:  Opus Northwest is headquartered in Minneapolis and is one of five regional companies within The Opus Group. Based in Minneapolis, The Opus Group is a $1.4 billion premier, full-service real estate development company with more than 50 years experience. Specializing in office, industrial, institutional, retail, multifamily and government construction, The Opus Group has completed more than 2,200 projects and currently has 24 million square feet in planning or development. Opus employs 1,400 people in 28 offices in the United States and Canada. A community steward since its inception, The Opus Group contributes 10 percent of its pre-tax profits to community organizations. In 2004, the Opus Foundation launched the Opus Prize, an annual $1 million humanitarian award. For more information, visit www.opuscorp.com.

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