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Retailing giant Blockbuster has joined the growing list of companies supporting A Penny for AIDS, the fundraising drive developed by the Video Industry AIDS Action Committee.

The program solicits a penny from consumers -- as well as retailers and suppliers in the video industry -- for every videotape or disc rental, purchase or transaction made from Nov. 24-Dec. 1.

"We're getting such an enthusiastic response, it's looks like we may get 5, 000 stores by the launch date," said Larry Klingman, chairman of A Penny for AIDS. This is the first time the non-profit org has taken its fundraising effort to the public, rather than seeking contibutions solely from industry insiders.

The addition of Blockbuster's 1,600 stores gives the drive a strong national retail base, combining with the already participating 415-store Suncoast, the 339-store Wherehouse and the 145-store Strawberries chains.

Vid suppliers and distributors committed to the project include Buena Vista, Capital Cities/ABC, Fox, HBO, Live Home Video, MGM/UA, MCA/Universal, Turner and Worldvision.