WILMINGTON, N.C., Sept. 21, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yesterday, Smithfield Foods' Helping Hungry Homes® initiative, a program focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure, joined forces with Harris Teeter to donate nearly 40,000 pounds of protein to the Foodbank of Central & Eastern North Carolina (CENC). The donation, equivalent to nearly 160,000 servings, will help those fighting hunger in Wilmington, where one in six individuals is food insecure.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f94b3ef5-6500-40e6-8a5e-1d98334d63ca

"We are continually grateful for Smithfield's Helping Hungry Homes relief efforts within our communities," said Peter Werbicki, president and CEO of the Food Bank of CENC. "These considerable donations provide nutritious protein, an always in-demand item for foodbanks and a crucial element for a balanced diet. Smithfield supplies the product and support needed to make a positive impact on those we serve."

Smithfield and Harris Teeter representatives presented the donation to the Foodbank of Central & Eastern North Carolina this morning at an event that raised awareness of hunger's impact in the local community. Members from all three organizations discussed the significance of protein donations in helping the 72,720 individuals, including 21,780 children, who face hunger each day in the Wilmington service area.

"Harris Teeter is honored to stand with both Smithfield and the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina in the fight against hunger," said Danna Robinson, communication manager for Harris Teeter. "As a long-time partner, we continue to see the tremendous benefits of these donations, as they nurture our neighbors in need with wholesome protein." 

Smithfield's donation to the Foodbank of Central & Eastern North Carolina was 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.

"Smithfield is proud to partner with Harris Teeter to present this donation to CENC through our Helping Hungry Homes program," said Dennis Pittman, Smithfield senior director of hunger relief. "As a global food company, we take pride in our responsibility to provide resources towards hunger relief. It is our hope that these pounds of protein will fill plates and provide comfort to our families and friends within the Wilmington area and on."

Following yesterday's event, Helping Hungry Homes® will visit Greenville, NC, Thursday, Sept. 21. 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 the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina 
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is a nonprofit organization that has provided food for people at risk of hunger in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina for more than 30 years. The Food Bank serves a network of more than 800 partner agencies such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs for children and adults through warehouses in Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, the Sandhills (Southern Pines), and Wilmington. In fiscal year 2015-2016, the Food Bank distributed more than 64.4 million pounds of food (60% of which was perishable) and non-food essentials through these agencies. Sadly, hunger remains a serious problem in central and eastern North Carolina. In these counties, more than 600,000 people struggle to access nutritious and adequate amounts of food necessary for an active and healthy life. foodbankcenc.org. 

About Harris Teeter
Harris Teeter, with headquarters in Matthews, N.C., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR). The regional grocery chain employs approximately 30,000 associates and operates stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and the District of Columbia.