LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Aug. 31, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kretschmar® Premium Deli Meats & Cheeses has partnered with Make-A-Wish® Mid-South to help grant a Bentonville, Ark. teenager's most heartfelt wish. Liam is a 15-year-old fighting respiratory failure. He enjoys playing basketball, spending time outdoors, playing video games, and editing and recording internet videos. So, it came as no surprise when Liam told Make-A-Wish Mid-South that his one true wish was to have a gaming computer.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dd487607-49b5-4724-b88c-ca53a334bdfd

Kretschmar and Make-A-Wish Mid-South partnered to grant Liam's wish and announced the surprise during a grand reveal outside of his room at the Arkansas Children's Hospital. Liam was surrounded by his closest family and friends for the special event.

"Kretschmar is committed to supporting the important efforts of Make-A-Wish, and helping to make wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions, like Liam," said Michael Baughman, Smithfield Foods director of marketing. "We are privileged to have the opportunity to partner with Make-A-Wish Mid-South to make this unforgettable experience possible."

Living with respiratory failure is an ongoing challenge, but Liam continues to courageously push forward. Playing video games serves as an outlet for him, and he hopes to use his computer skills to one day become a YouTube star.

"The Mid-South Chapter is honored to partner with Kretschmar to grant wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions," said Casey Tansey, Make-A-Wish Mid-South CEO. "So far this year, we have granted 141 wishes to local children in Arkansas, and Kretschmar's support is invaluable to allow us to continue making a difference in the lives of these families."  

Since 2012, Kretschmar has contributed more than $725,000 to Make-A-Wish nationally, raised more than $115,000 for local Make-A-Wish chapters, and sponsored more than 15 wishes with local chapters through the brand's Legendary Wishes campaign.

For more information about Kretschmar Deli and the brand's involvement with Make-A-Wish, visit www.KretschmarDeli.com or www.Facebook.com/KretschmarDeli.

Kretschmar is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Kretschmar
Kretschmar® Premium Deli Meats & Cheeses has meant quality since 1883. Our hams are made with a unique hardwood smoking process.  Kretschmar poultry and beef are hand-trimmed using the finest cuts.  Our full line of Off-The-Bone deli meats are delicately sliced from the leanest, most tender cuts. And our premium Wisconsin cheeses repeatedly win in competitions world-wide. Try the Legendary Taste of Kretschmar today. For great recipes and more, like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/kretschmardeli or visit our website at www.kretschmardeli.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 Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true has positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illness, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Headquartered in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world's leading children's charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 28,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 21 minutes. It has granted more than 270,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; more than 14,800 in 2015 alone. Visit Make-A-Wish at www.wish.org to learn more.

Contact:
Faye Shroff
Breaking Limits for Kretschmar
2137 South Blvd., Suite 200
Charlotte, N.C. 28203
Cell: 704-591-4353
E-Mail: fshroff@breakinglimits.net