AUBURN, Maine, July 18, 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 Shaw's to donate more than 35,000 pounds of protein to Good Shepherd Food Bank. The donation, equivalent to more than 140,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across Maine where one in seven individuals are food insecure.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/271bd74f-4666-49ed-acd3-8aa0c3e016e8

"We are very thankful to be able to partner with great companies like Smithfield and Shaw's to fight hunger in Maine," said Matt Chin, vice president of supply chain for Good Shepherd Food Bank. "This generous donation will provide many with access to a source of protein they may have gone without."

Smithfield and Shaw's representatives presented the donation to Good Shepherd 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 in Maine.

"Shaw's was founded here in Maine in 1860, and 157 years later we remain committed to helping create stronger communities across the State," said Alan Martel, district manager for Shaw's. "Supporting hunger relief in the neighborhoods we serve and joining local and state-wide food banks, like the Good Shepherd Food Bank, is very important to us.  We are proud to partner with our friends at Smithfield Foods in the fight against hunger through their Helping Hungry Homes® program." 

Smithfield's donation to Good Shepherd 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.

"As a global food company, we recognize and appreciate our responsibility to feed our neighbors in need," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "Along with Shaw's, today's donation allows us to further deliver on that promise by giving enough protein to feed thousands and help fill dinner plates for the food insecure across Maine."

Following today's event, Helping Hungry Homes® will visit Florence, South Carolina Thursday, July 20. 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 Good Shepherd Food Bank
As the largest hunger relief organization in Maine, Good Shepherd Food Bank provides for Mainers facing hunger by distributing nutritious food to more than 400 partner agencies across the state, including food pantries, meal sites, schools, and senior programs. Together with its network, the Food Bank leads a statewide effort to combat the root causes of hunger by engaging in advocacy, nutrition education, and strategic partnerships. In 2016, the Food Bank distributed 21 million meals to families, children, and seniors in need throughout Maine. Website:  www.feedingmaine.org; Phone:  (207) 782-3554; Facebook: www.facebook.com/feedingmaine; Twitter: www.twitter.com/feedingmaine.

About Shaw's
Shaw's and Star Market are working to become the Favorite Local Supermarket™ in every state in which they operate. Shaw's is one of the oldest continuously operated supermarkets in the United States with its roots dating to 1860. Star Market, a premier food retailer, has been serving Boston area customers since 1915.  Throughout the five New England states, there are 153 Shaw's and Star Market store locations employing approximately 19,000 employees.   For more information about Shaw's and Star Market, please visit www.shaws.com and www.starmarket.com or connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/starmarket or http://www.facebook.com/Shaws.

Media Contacts:

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

Good Shepherd Food Bank
Clara Whitney
(207) 272-3865
cwhitney@gsfb.org 

Shaw's
Teresa Edington
(508) 313-4454
teresa.edington@shaws.com