LISLE, Ill., Nov. 15, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eckrich, the makers of naturally hardwood smoked sausage and savory deli meats, partnered with Albertsons/Safeway and Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families, to honor a Salem, Ore. military family.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a7abdda-780f-4842-95d4-f9561aafd2d4
To thank and support the Tablanzas for their service and sacrifice, Eckrich presented the family with a gift of free groceries for a year at Albertsons/Safeway, valued at more than $13,000, as well as tickets to the Stanford University vs. University of Oregon football game on Saturday.
Sergeant Lee Tablanza served four years in the United States Marine Corps, fighting during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and earning multiple medals and awards. He and his wife, Elsa, have been married for 13 years and have two children.
"I feel blessed to receive this gift," said Lee Tablanza. "We can't express how much free groceries means. I loved serving our country and I have to thank Eckrich and Albertsons/Safeway for giving back to our family."
The surprise is part of an ongoing campaign by Eckrich to honor and support military families through its partnership with Operation Homefront. The Tablanza family is supported by Operation Homefront’s Hearts of Valor® program, a network of more than 3,000 caregivers which provides annual retreats, support groups and online communities.
Friday’s event is also part of the Eckrich Road to the National Championship program where a military family is honored at 13 of the biggest college football games of the year. Eckrich, now in its fifth year of partnership with Operation Homefront, has already donated more than $2.5 million since 2012.
“Eckrich is proud to honor military families all across the country,” said Jennifer Zmrhal, Smithfield Foods senior director of marketing. “Our military families sacrifice so much and this is our way to say thank you. We are pleased to present the Tablanza family with free groceries for one year.”
For more information about Eckrich, please visit www.eckrich.com or follow Eckrich on Facebook and Twitter.
Eckrich is a brand of Smithfield Foods
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 $14 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 Operation Homefront
A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront builds strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. With more than 3,200 volunteers nationwide, Operation Homefront has provided assistance to tens of thousands of military families its inception shortly after 9/11. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 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.