SMITHFIELD, Va., Dec. 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As part of the company’s Helping Hungry Homes program, Smithfield is delivering protein donations to six different food banks this week totaling more than 123,000 pounds, just in time for the Christmas holiday.
Food banks across Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia will benefit from a share of this donation, including the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Virginia Peninsula Food Bank, Feeding America Southwest Virginia, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina which serves the greater Charlotte area, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, and Hosea Feed the Hungry which serves the greater Atlanta area.
“We have made more than 245 donations across the country under the Smithfield Helping Hungry Homes program,” said Dennis Pittman, Smithfield Senior Director of Corporate Communications. “During a time of year when so much joy is shared over the holiday meal, we’re especially humbled to help provide nearly half a million servings of protein to families in need this season.”
“In addition to the protein being donated to six food banks in the Southeast, Smithfield employees held an inter-office food drive aiming to raise 5,000 pounds of non-perishable foods and goods to help support our local community,” Pittman continued. “I’m thrilled to share that we more-than tripled our goal, raising over 18,000 pounds!”
Smithfield Foods has a long history of stocking food banks, supporting after-school nutrition programs and providing food relief in the wake of natural disasters. In January 2008, Smithfield established its Helping Hungry Homes initiative to support the fight against hunger across the country.
About Smithfield
A leading provider of high-quality pork products, Smithfield was founded in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia, establishing the town as the “Ham Capital of the World.” From hand-trimmed bacon and slow-smoked holiday hams to marinated tenderloins, Smithfield brings artistry, authenticity and a commitment to heritage, flavor, and handcrafted excellence to everything it produces. With a vast product portfolio including smoked meats, hams, bacon, sausage, ribs, and a wide variety of fresh pork cuts, the company services retail, foodservice, and deli channels across the Unites States and 30 countries abroad. All of Smithfield's products meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. To learn more about how Flavor Hails from Smithfield, please visit www.Smithfield.com, www.Twitter.com/SmithfieldBrand, and www.Facebook.com/CookingWithSmithfield. Smithfield is a brand of Smithfield Foods.
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.