SMITHFIELD, Va — Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce the success of its employees’ collection efforts during Hunger Action Month™, a time when people across the country stand together with Feeding America® and its nationwide network of food banks to fight hunger. This month, Smithfield employees collected more than 45,000 pounds of non-perishable goods for donation, surpassing last year’s total of 15,000 pounds by 30,000 pounds.
“At Smithfield, we are passionate about fighting hunger every day in our community,” said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. “Hunger Action Month is a special time in our facilities and offices and we are proud of all of our employees who stepped up this month to raise awareness and personally donate to help their fellow neighbors in need become more food secure.”
For ten years, Feeding America has organized Hunger Action Month to mobilize and encourage the public to take action against hunger in the United States, where one in eight Americans face hunger. In addition to food collection and volunteer opportunities, Smithfield participates in this hunger initiative by engaging its employees and sharing information about hunger relief with its locations across America.
“Smithfield has been a valuable supporter of Feeding America for more than a decade, and a true partner in the fight against hunger,” said Karen Hanner, vice president of manufacturing product sourcing at Feeding America. “We’re thrilled by their ongoing commitment to this cause and the passion of their employees to make a difference during Hunger Action Month.”
In addition to employee efforts during Hunger Action Month, Smithfield donated more than 230,000 pounds of protein to food banks this September through the company’s signature hunger-relief initiative, Helping Hungry Homes®, including 120,000 pounds to Second Harvest Food Bank of Fayetteville and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina to assist in recovery efforts following Hurricane Florence.
To learn more about Helping Hungry Homes® or for a list of upcoming donation events, please 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®, Farmer John®, Kretschmar®, John Morrell®, Cook's®, Gwaltney®, Carando®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Healthy Ones®, Morliny®, Krakus® 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, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
About Feeding America
Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Source: Smithfield Foods
