SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield's Helping Hungry Homes program visited San Antonio today for the 27th stop on its 2016 nationwide hunger-relief tour. The company partnered with H-E-B to donate more than 25,000 pounds of protein to help alleviate hunger in the San Antonio Food Bank's service area, where more than one in six people suffer from food insecurity. 

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c7765405-9ad4-4f8d-9167-d8fd8958125a

Representatives from Smithfield and H-E-B presented the donation to the San Antonio Food Bank during an event, where speakers discussed the importance of donations like this in Texas, the nation's second most food-insecure state.

Helping Hungry Homes, now in its eighth year, is Smithfield's coast-to-coast campaign to help Americans become more food secure. This year, the program will help fight hunger through more than 35 large-scale protein donations to food banks across the United States totaling more than four million servings. To date, Helping Hungry Homes has provided more than 40 million servings of protein to food banks across America.

"Protein is the most requested item our families need, but it is also very hard to secure as a donation," said Eric S. Cooper, president & CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank. "This gift of a truckload of protein from Smithfield will literally nourish thousands of households in our community and we are incredibly grateful for this gift and show of support." 

"At H-E-B we are committed to serving our community, so we are proud to partner with Smithfield on this donation to the San Antonio Food Bank," said Danny Flores, senior manager of public affairs at H-E-B. "We hope partnerships like this continue to put a spotlight on the problem of hunger in our community and encourage others to join in the fight against hunger."

"Smithfield is proud to partner with H-E-B to provide more than 100,000 servings of protein to the San Antonio Food Bank through our Helping Hungry Homes program," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "As a food company, it's imperative that we help feed our neighbors in need. Through this donation, we are excited to provide wholesome protein to families and individuals throughout Southwest Texas."

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 United 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 $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 H-E-B
H-E-B, with sales of more than $23 billion, operates more than 370 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2015. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience at everyday low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs more than 96,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com.

About the San Antonio Food Bank
The San Antonio Food Bank is a 501c3 non-profit organization providing millions of pounds of food to more than 500 charitable organizations in Southwest Texas serving those in need. In addition to food distribution, the San Antonio Food Bank provides numerous programs that not only solve the immediate problems of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long-term food security. For more information about the San Antonio Food Bank, visit our website at www.safoodbank.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/safoodbank or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/safoodbank.

Media Contacts:

Hunter PR for Smithfield
Elisabeth Garcia
(212) 679-6600
egarcia@hunterpr.com

H-E-B
Danny Flores
(210) 877-4344
flores.danny@heb.com

San Antonio Food Bank
Michael Guerra
(210) 431-8303
miguerra@safoodbank.org