SMITHFIELD, Va., Nov. 01, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In honor of Smithfield's Helping Hungry Homes 300th milestone donation, the company has announced it will donate nearly one million servings of protein to eight food banks across the country throughout the remainder of 2016.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b65399b6-2b18-49f0-838e-50a1ecbf5942

Between now and the end of the year, Smithfield will travel from coast-to-coast to food banks in Florence, S.C., Charleston, S.C., Sacramento, Calif., Hampton, Va., Virginia Beach, Va., Bentonville, Ark., Baltimore, Md. and Tampa, Fla. Smithfield will continue its long history of partnering with local retailers with a history of philanthropy to make these donations and raise awareness of hunger in these areas.

This sizable donation of nearly one million servings of protein from Smithfield will benefit thousands of families during the holiday season — a time in which many don't know from where their next meal will come. Furthermore, some of these donations will support victims of the recent hurricane that affected the East Coast.

Helping Hungry Homes, now in its eighth year, is Smithfield's nationwide hunger initiative to help Americans become more food secure. Highlights of the program include:

• Since 2008, the Helping Hungry Homes tour has visited more than 100 cities
• To-date, the program has provided more than 43 million servings of protein (4 ounces per serving) to food banks across America
• In 2016 alone, Smithfield will make more than 40 large-scale protein donations to food banks across the United States totaling more than six million servings
• Smithfield's Helping Hungry Homes initiative is made possible in large part thanks to the dedicated truck drivers and volunteers who are making a positive impact on food insecurity throughout the nation
• This past year, Smithfield partnered with national and local celebrities to raise awareness of hunger in the United States, including celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffmann; current and former football stars Melvin Ingram, Casey Hayward, Cecil Shorts III, Kyle Rudolph, Mark Schlereth, and Reggie Wayne; and racing legend Richard Petty and No. 43 driver Aric Almirola

"Smithfield is honored to reach this huge 300th milestone donation," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "As a food company, it's our responsibility to feed people and we're proud that we've been able to feed millions of individuals and families since the Helping Hungry Homes program was founded. One in seven Americans struggle with hunger, and Smithfield is leading the way to fight hunger and reduce food waste. We encourage other companies and communities to join in our fight and help support local food banks across the nation."

"Smithfield continues to be a valuable partner to the Feeding America network of food banks. Their generous donation of protein-rich meats help us provide wholesome meals to more than 46 million Americans each year. Feeding America is deeply grateful to Smithfield for their ongoing contributions to their neighbors in need and for their Helping Hungry Homes program," said Bill Thomas, chief supply chain office of Feeding America.

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 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.

Media Contacts:

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

Feeding America
Ross Fraser
(312) 641-6422
rfraser@feedingamerica.org