MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 27, 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 Kroger to donate more than 35,000 pounds of protein to Mid-South Food Bank. The donation, equivalent to more than 140,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across the food bank's service area in northern Mississippi, western Tennessee and eastern Arkansas where one in five individuals are food insecure.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7f06a5dc-bf72-4297-a7da-b3089f80f597

"We are grateful for this timely donation of protein for our neighbors in need," said Estella Mayhue-Greer, president and CEO of Mid-South Food Bank. "With school out and the recent storm, families are struggling to put nutritious meals on the table. ‘Hungry homes' are a reality, and Smithfield Foods' donation will make a difference in our area." 

Smithfield and Kroger representatives presented the donation to Mid-South Food Bank 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 more than 420,000 individuals who face hunger each day in the food bank's service area.

"Kroger's purpose is to Feed the Human SpiritTM, and a great way to operate in this purpose is by providing much needed protein to families in need," said Scot Hendricks, president of Kroger Delta Division and Mid-South Food Bank board member. "We are extremely grateful and honored to partner with Smithfield Foods and the Mid-South Food Bank to help lift the spirits of our area families one meal at a time."

Smithfield's donation to Mid-South Food Bank was a part of the Helping Hungry Homes® 2017 nationwide donation tour. Throughout the annual tour, Smithfield will provide large-scale protein donations to nearly 60 food banks across the country. This donation adds to the more than 65 million servings of protein donated since 2011.

"Today, Smithfield is proud to provide nutritious, high-quality protein to Mid-South Food Bank," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "As a global food company, we understand the importance of proper nutrition and value our responsibility to raise awareness of and address hunger throughout our country."

Following today's event, Helping Hungry Homes® will visit Lowell, Arkansas Thursday, June 29. For more information about Helping Hungry Homes® and a list of upcoming donation events, 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Ⓡ, 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 Mid-South Food Bank
The Mission of Mid-South Food Bank is to change lives by eliminating hunger in the Mid-South.  We distribute food through a network of partner food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, youth programs and more in 31 counties in west Tennessee, north Mississippi and east Arkansas.  Last year, Mid-South Food Bank distributed more than 13 million pounds of food to hungry Mid-Southerners. 

About Kroger
Every day, the Kroger Family of Companies makes a difference in the lives of eight and a half million customers and 443,000 associates who shop or serve in 2,796 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Kroger and its subsidiaries operate an expanding ClickList offering — a personalized, order online, pick up at the store service — in addition to our 2,255 pharmacies, 784 convenience stores, 319 fine jewelry stores, 220 retail health clinics, 1,445 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States. Kroger is recognized as one of America's most generous companies for its support of more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the military and their families, and more than 145,000 community organizations including schools. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable. 

Media Contacts:

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

Mid-South Food Bank
Marcia Wells
(901) 405-0073
mwells@midsouthfoodbank.org

Kroger
Teresa Dickerson
(901) 581-4713
teresa.dickerson@kroger.com