WICHITA, Kan., July 13, 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 Dillons Food Stores to donate more than 35,000 pounds of protein to Kansas Food Bank. The donation, equivalent to more than 140,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across Kansas where one in eight individuals are food insecure.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a91f3fc-b501-4a2b-8a3f-3df48d29297b

"Last year, the Kansas Food Bank provided more than 11 million meals to Kansans struggling to put food on the table," said Brian Walker, president and CEO of the Kansas Food Bank. "It is because of donations and partners such as Smithfield and Dillons that we are able to provide those missing meals for families, children and seniors who turn to us for help.  We are truly thankful for this donation and opportunity to be a part of the Helping Hungry Homes® initiative."

Smithfield and Dillons representatives presented the donation to Kansas Food Bank at the event this morning. Members of all three organizations discussed food insecurity in the local community and the significance of this donation in helping the more than 200,000 individuals who face hunger each day across the food bank's service area.

"At Dillons, we are focused on ending hunger every day by sharing both food and hope with our neighbors in need," said Colleen Juergensen, president of Dillon Food Stores.  "Together with our partners at Smithfield, we are proud to extend even more support to the Kansas Food Bank.  With today's donation, we are lifting the spirits of struggling families, one meal at a time."

Smithfield's donation to Kansas 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.

"At Smithfield, we are passionate about supporting our communities in need," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "By providing donation to Kansas Food Bank with help from Dillons, thousands of our hungry neighbors will be able to provide their families with protein-rich meal."

Following today's event, Helping Hungry Homes® will visit Portland, Maine Tuesday, July 18. 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 Kansas Food Bank
The Kansas Food Bank collects and distributes donated and low-cost nutritious food to more than 700 hunger relief partners in its 85-county service area. Last year more than 11 million meals were distributed, helping to feed nearly 215,300 different Kansans.  Hunger-relief partners include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and the Food4Kids backpack program, and Bob Box senior box programs. In addition, the Food Bank takes a leadership role in identifying and addressing hunger needs affecting Kansans. (www.kansasfoodbank.org)

About Dillons Food Stores
Dillons Supermarkets, headquartered in Hutchinson, KS, is a division of The Kroger Company, one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains.  Dillon Stores operates 80 stores in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska and employs more than 12,500 associates. Dillon Stores focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, local schools, and grassroots organizations in the communities it serves.  For more information on Dillons, please visit our website at www.dillons.com

Media Contacts:

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

Kansas Food Bank
Debi Kreutzman
(316) 680-8560
debikreutzman@kansasfoodbank.org

Dillons Food Stores
Sheila Lowrie
(620) 200-3209
sheila.lowrie@dillonstores.com