LINCOLN, Neb., April 04, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods' Helping Hungry Homes® initiative, a program focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure, joined forces with B&R Stores, the parent company of Russ's Market and Super Saver, to donate more than 30,000 pounds of protein to Food Bank of Lincoln. The donation, equivalent to more than 120,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across Southeast Nebraska where more than 60,000 individuals are food insecure.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1cce37d1-29bd-4870-af2f-6feb0047b108

"We are grateful for this large-scale donation from Smithfield and B&R Stores, which will provide countless meals to people in our area," said Scott Young, executive director of Food Bank of Lincoln. "Many of the families we serve struggle to find their next meal. Now, with this donation, we are able to provide support to our neighbors in need."

Smithfield and B&R Stores representatives presented the donation to Food Bank of Lincoln at the event this morning. Members from all three organizations discussed food insecurity in the local community and the significance of this donation in helping the hungry in Southeast Nebraska, including more than 20,000 children.

"B&R Stores is honored to take part in this donation and continue to support our community members in need," said Pat Raybould, president of B&R Stores, Inc. "We remain focused on raising awareness of hunger and food insecurity in our area, and salute Smithfield for their similar passion."

Smithfield's donation to Food Bank of Lincoln was a part of the Helping Hungry Homes® 2017 nationwide donation tour. Throughout the annual tour, Smithfield will provide large-scale protein donations to more than 50 food banks across the country. This donation adds to the more than 65 million servings of protein donated since 2011.

"At Smithfield, we're proud to support the many communities we call home, and we're providing the Food Bank of Lincoln with nutritious protein to feed the many people it serves," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "With help from B&R Stores, this donation will feed thousands of families throughout Southeast Nebraska."

Following today's event, Helping Hungry Homes® will visit Omaha, Nebraska. For more information about Helping Hungry Homes® and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.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 Food Bank of Lincoln
Since 1982, the Food Bank of Lincoln has worked to address food insecurity. The mission of Food Bank of Lincoln is to alleviate hunger in Southeast Nebraska. More than 60,000 people in the Food Bank of Lincoln's 16-county service area—including an estimated 20,940 children under the age of 18—lack consistent, reliable access to enough food to lead an active, healthy life. To learn more, visit http://www.lincolnfoodbank.org.

About B&R Stores, Inc.
B&R Stores, Inc., a Lincoln, Nebraska-based, employee-owned company, was founded in 1964 by Russ Raybould. Since then, the company has grown to include four store concepts (Russ's Market, Super Saver, Save Best Foods and Grand Central Apple Market) located in seven cities across Nebraska and Iowa. For more information, visit brstores.com. 

Media Contacts:

Dalton Agency for Smithfield
Kaytee Allaben
(904) 226-9890
kallaben@daltonagency.com

Food Bank of Lincoln
Michaella Kumke
(402) 432-4440
mkumke@lincolnfoodbank.org

B&R Stores, Inc.
Marty Jarvis
(402) 540-0141
marty@brstores.com