LISLE, III., Oct. 10, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kretschmar® Premium Meats & Cheeses has partnered with Marc's grocery store and Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana to help grant a Cleveland teen's one true wish. Jasmyn, a 14-year-old fighting lymphoma, loves all animals and enjoys taking care of them. It came as no surprise when Jasmyn told Make-A-Wish that her most heartfelt wish was to visit the San Francisco Zoo and Safari West.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5f70ff27-1f54-485f-aa90-2bdd75ccea7b

Kretschmar, Marc's and Make-A-Wish granted Jasmyn's wish, then threw her a big party Sunday to welcome her home. The party included an additional surprise for Jasmyn, a "Zookeeper for a Day" experience at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.  

While in Northern California, Jasmyn experienced the animal-filled trip of her dreams. She and her family also received VIP treatment at Safari West, where they were surrounded by nature's most beautiful animals in their natural habitats. The authentic African safari features giraffes, Jasmyn's favorite animal, and more than 900 exotic mammals and birds.

"Kretschmar is committed to supporting the important efforts of Make-A-Wish and helping to make wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions, like Jasmyn," said Michael J. Sargent, Senior Brand Manager, Smithfield Foods. "We are privileged to have the opportunity to make this unforgettable experience possible with help from Marc's and Make-A-Wish."

Jasmyn is battling lymphoma, a cancer that affects the immune system. Even when she isn't feeling well, she does not let it crush her spirit and continues to remain positive and smiling. Jasmyn wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. When she is not playing with animals, you'll find Jasmyn reading, watching movies or going to the park with her friends.

"Jasmyn's experience illustrates how a granted wish has the power to rally an entire community together to create lasting memories for a child," said Doug Kelly, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana. "We're incredibly grateful for the support of Kretschmar and Marc's who are working together to make Jasmyn's heartfelt wish come true." 

Since 2012, Kretschmar has contributed over $600,000 to Make-A-Wish nationally and sponsored more than 12 wishes with local chapters through its Legendary Wishes campaign.

Thanks to retail partners like Marc's, Kretschmar has raised additional funding through sales of Make-A-Wish paper stars sold at stores' registers for $1 donations, employee donations, and sandwich fundraisers. Marc's locally raised $7,000 from September 1 through September 30 to help grant future wishes like Jasmyn's. These efforts have raised over $75,000, which was given to local Make-A-Wish chapters to grant more wishes.

For more information about Kretschmar Deli and its involvement with Make-A-Wish visit www.KretschmarDeli.com or www.Facebook.com/KretschmarDeli.

Kretschmar is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Kretschmar
Kretschmar® Premium Deli Meats & Cheeses has meant quality since 1883. Our hams are made with a unique hardwood smoking process. Kretschmar poultry and beef are hand-trimmed using the finest cuts. Our full line of Off-The-Bone deli meats are delicately sliced from the leanest, most tender cuts. And our premium Wisconsin cheeses repeatedly win in competitions world-wide. Try the Legendary Taste of Kretschmar today. For great recipes and more, like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/kretschmardeli or visit our website at www.kretschmardeli.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 Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true has positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illness, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Headquartered in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world's leading children's charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 28,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 35 minutes. It has granted more than 270,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; more than 14,800 in 2015 alone. Visit Make-A-Wish at www.wish.org to learn more.

About Marc's Grocery Store and Pharmacy
Marc's operates 58 stores throughout the Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown and Columbus region in Ohio. They are very proud to be locally owned and operated in N. E. Ohio. Marc's targets the value conscious family shopper. Basic inventory represents name brand merchandise in the food, health & beauty, and general merchandise categories. Marc's is proud to accept Discover credit cards, checks and cash. Each of our stores has a courtesy section which provides many extra services such as discount fuel cards, postage stamps, money orders and pre-paid phone cards.

Contact:
Leah Rubertino
Breaking Limits for Kretschmar
(626) 676.3735
lrubertino@breakinglimits.net