Smithfield Foods and Farm Fresh Join Forces to Donate Nearly 120,000 Pounds of Protein to Three Local Food BanksNational Hunger-Relief Effort Kicks Off at Company Headquarters in VirginiaSMITHFIELD, Va., Jan. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Yesterday, Smithfield Foods, Inc. joined forces with Farm Fresh to donate nearly 120,000 pounds of protein, benefiting thousands facing food insecurity throughout Virginia. The donation launched the 2018 Helping Hungry Homes® tour, Smithfield’s company-wide initiative focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. In celebration of the program’s 10-year anniversary, a kickoff donation event was held at the company’s headquarters in Smithfield, Virginia. “At Smithfield, we’re passionate about feeding people and helping communities in need,” said Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer for Smithfield Foods. “We are committed to improving food security and ending hunger by donating high-quality, nutritious food and providing financial support to hunger-relief organizations, and we’re thrilled to begin the 10th year of our Helping Hungry Homes initiative in Virginia, the community we call home.” At the event, Smithfield and Farm Fresh presented the donation, equivalent to more than 475,000 servings of protein, a staple of a well-balanced meal, to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, FeedMore, and the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. “Smithfield is a longtime ally in the fight against hunger,” said Micky Nye, regional vice president of operations for Farm Fresh, Shoppers, and Shop ‘n Save East. “At Farm Fresh, we’re proud to continue our likeminded cause to support our local communities, and we look forward to seeing the significant impact made by the entire Smithfield Family year-round.” Yesterday’s event helped to raise awareness of the challenges of food insecurity throughout the state of Virginia and across the country. Speakers discussed the significance of the donation and encouraged others to join the fight against hunger. “Hunger is a harsh reality that millions face each day, affecting more than 74,000 individuals in the Greater Peninsula area alone,” said Karen Joyner, chief executive officer for Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. “Through Smithfield’s Helping Hungry Homes® program, and with the help of our 170 member agencies in the area, we are able to support those in need with nutrient-rich protein — a vital resource for our community and food banks nationwide.” Following the event, Smithfield delivered approximately 40,000 pounds of protein to each of the three food banks. The donations will help fight hunger across Virginia, where one in seven individuals are food insecure. “Our ability to assist those individuals in need throughout the 11 cities and counties that comprise our 4,745 square-mile service area, is largely made possible by caring and capable partners like Smithfield,” said Ruth Jones Nichols, Ph.D., chief executive officer for Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. “Having Smithfield’s continuous community support is humbling, inspiring, and encouraging for everyone involved. We provide resources for a network of over 370 partner agencies and programs, including soup kitchens, food pantries, emergency shelters, child nutrition programs and Mobile Pantries. When we start to feel that enormous weight on our shoulders, Smithfield’s company-wide strength gives us something to lean on.” Throughout its 2018 Helping Hungry Homes® tour, Smithfield will make large-scale protein donations benefitting more than 40 food banks across the country. Since the program’s inception in 2008, Smithfield has provided nearly 100 million servings of protein to hunger-relief organizations through this initiative. “At FeedMore, we appreciate Smithfield’s continuous efforts to give back to the local community and are thrilled to be included in the 2018 Helping Hungry Homes® tour,” said Doug Pick, president and chief executive officer for FeedMore. “We’re excited to ring in yet another year with Smithfield, whose contributions over the years have allowed us to make significant strides towards eliminating hunger.” For more information about Smithfield Foods’ Helping Hungry Homes® initiative and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.com. About Smithfield Foods About Farm Fresh About Virginia Peninsula Foodbank About FeedMore About the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d510873-63e8-4fcc-a276-3aed2043958d
Media Contacts: Dalton Agency for Smithfield Farm Fresh Food & Pharmacy® Virginia Peninsula Foodbank Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore FeedMore |
Smithfield Foods and Farm Fresh Join Forces to Donate Nearly 120,000 Pounds of Protein to Three Local Food Banks
