DENVER, June 12, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Last week, Smithfield Foods’ Helping Hungry Homes^® initiative, a program focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure, joined forces with King Soopers to donate more than 40,000 pounds of protein to Food Bank of the Rockies. The donation, equivalent to more than 160,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across Denver where one in eight individuals are food insecure.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e07a8227-6f7e-4d19-b7b7-4fa69fd520b0

“Thank you Smithfield Foods for helping us feed men, women and children in need through Helping Hungry Homes,” said Kevin Seggelke, president and CEO of Food Bank of the Rockies. “Summer is a difficult time for many, especially families who rely on school breakfast and lunch to help supplement their children’s nutrition. This donation will be so helpful for them, and we are grateful for your continued partnership and support!”

Smithfield and King Soopers representatives presented the donation to Food Bank of the Rockies at the event Friday morning. Members from all three organizations discussed food insecurity in the local community and the significance of this donation in helping the more than 460,000 individuals who face hunger each day in the food bank’s service area.

"Hunger has no boundaries, and today in Colorado one of every five kids lives in a food insecure household,” said Kelli McGannon, director of public affairs for King Soopers. “Food is the foundation of health, and with our partners from Smithfield, we hope our donation helps build a healthier foundation. Thank you to Food Bank of the Rockies, which works every day to feed those who need it most."

Smithfield’s donation to Food Bank of the Rockies was a part of the Helping Hungry Homes^® 2017 nationwide donation tour. Throughout the annual tour, Smithfield will provide large-scale protein donations to more than 50 food banks across the country. This donation adds to the more than 65 million servings of protein donated since 2011.

“As a global food company, we understand the importance of proper nutrition and value our role as an active partner in the fight against hunger,” said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. “Through this donation, Food Bank of the Rockies will be better positioned to provide wholesome protein to families and individuals throughout northern Colorado.”

Following Friday’s event, Helping Hungry Homes^® will visit Salt Lake City, Utah today before travelling to Memphis, Tennessee Tuesday, June 27. For more information about Helping Hungry Homes^® and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.com.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield^Ⓡ, Eckrich^Ⓡ, Nathan's Famous^Ⓡ, Farmland^Ⓡ, Armour^Ⓡ, John Morrell^Ⓡ, Cook's^Ⓡ, Kretschmar^Ⓡ, Gwaltney^Ⓡ, Curly's^Ⓡ, Margherita^Ⓡ, Carando^Ⓡ, Healthy Ones^Ⓡ, Krakus^Ⓡ, Morliny^Ⓡ and Berlinki^Ⓡ. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

About King Soopers
King Soopers operates 150 stores, 146 pharmacies and 78 fuel centers in Colorado. For more than 65 years, King Soopers has emphasized a customer-first approach to providing quality products, value pricing, outstanding service and an exceptional shopping experience.  We are dedicated to making a difference in the communities we serve by supporting hunger relief, education, health and wellness, military families and diversity programs. For more information about King Soopers, download the free King Soopers mobile app or connect on King Soopers.com, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

About Food Bank of the Rockies
Food Bank of the Rockies, a non-profit organization, distributed nearly 48 million meals last year through our direct service programs and partner agencies, serving clients in Northern Colorado, including Metro Denver, and the entire state of Wyoming. 1 in 8 Coloradans, including nearly 1 in 4 Colorado children, struggle with hunger.  Since 1978, FBR has provided more than 567 million meals to people in need in our community. Food Bank of the Rockies is a member of Feeding America.  For additional information, please visit www.foodbankrockies.org.  “Like” FBR on Facebook and Instagram, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our blog!