LISLE, Ill., Oct. 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eckrich, the makers of naturally hardwood smoked sausage and savory deli meats, invited more than 380 Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions employees to help honor and thank a local military family on Wednesday. Former professional basketball player Jamaal Wilkes helped present the family with a year of free groceries at Albertsons on behalf of Eckrich.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0bde8d31-7778-4a69-80d0-ee478e94c0fe
The special surprise happened during a luncheon at the grocery chain’s Southern California headquarters in Fullerton, Calif. Wilkes, a basketball Hall of Fame player and three-time NBA Champion, and Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions Southern California President Lori Raya presented Petty Officer First Class Karla C. Auquilla and her family with a year of free groceries.
“I am proud to partner with Eckrich to honor the Auquilla family,” said Wilkes. “It’s exciting to give a gift of free groceries for a year, particularly to a family with children.”
The gift of groceries is part of the ongoing campaign by Eckrich to honor, thank and support military families through its partnership with Operation Homefront, a national non-profit whose mission is to build strong, stable and secure military families. Eckrich, in its fourth year of partnership with Operation Homefront, has surpassed $1 million in donations. Eckrich is a brand of Smithfield Foods.
Petty Officer First Class Auquilla has served in the Navy for more than 14 years. Her professional manner and numerous recognitions led her to become the Command Career Counselor for more than 450 active duty, full-time support and selected reservists. Now stationed in California, she is raising two sons and recently graduated from college with an associate degree.
“Eckrich is proud to honor military families across the country,” said Chuck Gitkin, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Smithfield Foods. “We are grateful that Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions and Jamaal share our passion for giving back to such deserving families. On behalf of Eckrich, we are pleased to provide the Auquilla family with one year of free groceries at Albertsons in appreciation for their sacrifice.”
Eckrich and Albertsons have partnered throughout the year to honor our military families.
“What Eckrich does to give back to the communities is amazing,” said Raya. “It’s important for us to partner with them to help out with a basic need like groceries.”
For more information about Eckrich please visit www.eckrich.com
About Eckrich
Founded by Peter Eckrich in 1894, Eckrich has a rich heritage starting from a small meat market in Fort Wayne, Ind. Through it all, Eckrich meats have been recognized for their great taste and supreme quality, craftsmanship, care and pride. For more information, visit www.eckrich.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®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Nathan's Famous®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Carando® and Healthy Ones®. 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 Operation Homefront
A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 2,500 volunteers with nationwide presence who provide emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors. Operation Homefront has provided assistance to thousands of military families since its inception in 2002. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity watchdog groups, nationally, 92 percent of Operation Homefront’s expenditures go directly to programs that provide support to our military families. For more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net.
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.