SHREWSBURY, Mass., Aug. 08, 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 40,000 pounds of protein to Worcester County Food Bank. The donation, equivalent to more than 160,000 servings, will help families fight hunger in Worcester County, where one in ten individuals are food insecure.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5f4bdfcb-81fe-4b5d-8886-574d81afef92

"We are grateful to Smithfield Foods and Shaw's for their generous support," said Jean G. McMurray, Executive Director of the Worcester County Food Bank.  "Protein is so important to a healthy diet, but we know that it can be particularly difficult for people struggling with hunger to obtain adequate protein. This donation will help people in need right here in our community access protein. We want to thank Smithfield Foods and Shaw's for joining us in the effort to help end hunger in Worcester County."

Smithfield and Shaw's representatives presented the donation to Worcester County 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 79,390 individuals who face hunger each day in Worcester County.

"At Shaw's, we are proud to partner with Smithfield Foods for the Helping Hungry Homes® program," said Paul McEachern, district manager for Shaw's. "Our goal through this partnership and Shaw's other hunger-relief efforts is to help the Worcester County Food Bank in their mission to create a hunger-free community."

Smithfield's donation to Worcester County 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 at Smithfield Foods 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 place protein on thousands of dinner plates for those across Massachusetts."

Following today's event, Helping Hungry Homes® will visit Lowell, Arkansas, Thursday, Aug. 10. 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 Worcester County Food Bank
Worcester County Food Bank (WCFB) is the region's leading anti-hunger organization, distributing over 6 million pounds of donated food and grocery product in partnership with food donors, financial supporters, and volunteers. WCFB provides food to a network of 128 Partner Agencies that have public assistance programs including food pantries, community meal sites, and shelters. WCFB also advocates within the community and at the state and federal levels for systemic and sustainable solutions to the problem of hunger. WCFB's mission is to engage, educate, and lead Worcester County in creating a hunger-free community. 95 percent of all donated resources go directly towards creating a hunger-free community.

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
Heather Houston
(386) 216-9472
hhouston@daltonagency.com

Worcester County Food Bank
Hannah Gunnell
(508) 842-3663 ext. 245
hgunnell@feedingamerica.org

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