SMITHFIELD, Va., Oct. 11, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kretschmar® Premium Deli Meats & Cheeses has partnered with Homeland grocery stores to help Make-A-Wish® Oklahoma grant wishes for children battling life-threatening medical conditions. Now through October 28, Homeland stores across Oklahoma will donate $0.50 for every full slab of Kretschmar ribs purchased.

Kretschmar and Homeland will present the donation to Make-A-Wish Oklahoma at the annual Walk for Wishes on Saturday, October 21 as part of Kretschmar's Legendary Wishes campaign, which helps grant wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. The Walk for Wishes celebrates wishes that have already been granted, and raises money for future wishes.

"Homeland is passionately devoted to inspiring happiness and strengthening our Oklahoma communities through great partnerships with companies that share the same values as we do when it comes to people, and Kretschmar fits that mold perfectly for us," said Chris Rogers, Deli-Bakery Director and Owner of HAC, Inc. "We are excited to have the opportunity to help empower our guests and employees to champion such a worthy cause like Make-A-Wish Oklahoma."

Since 2012, Kretschmar has contributed more than $725,000 to Make-A-Wish nationally and sponsored more than 15 wishes with local chapters through its Legendary Wishes campaign.

"Everyone at Kretschmar is grateful for Make-A-Wish and their efforts to grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions," said Michael Baughman, Smithfield Foods director of marketing. "We appreciate Homeland's partnership in support of such a worthwhile organization, and we are grateful to all of the shoppers who contribute to a great cause while they are at the store."

Through partnerships with retailers like Homeland, Kretschmar has raised more than $115,000 for local Make-A-Wish chapters through sales of Make-A-Wish paper stars sold at stores' registers for $1 donations, employee donations, and sandwich fundraisers.

For more information about Kretschmar Deli and its 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 Homeland
Homeland is Oklahoma's largest locally-owned grocery store chain with 31 locations statewide.  Homeland has been 100% Employee Owned since 2011.  Homeland's mission is to serve its community by providing exceptional customer service, competitive prices and the freshest meat and produce available.  For more information, please visit www.homelandstores.com.

About Make-A-Wish Oklahoma
Make-A-Wish Oklahoma grants the wishes of children, ages 2 ½ to 18, who are facing life-threatening illness to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Since 1982, Make-A-Wish Oklahoma is proud to have granted nearly 2,800 wishes to children across all 77 counties of Oklahoma. The organization has offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa that serve as co-headquarters for the Make-A-Wish Oklahoma chapter.

Contact:
Ken Cohn
Breaking Limits for Kretschmar
2137 South Blvd., Suite 200
Charlotte, N.C. 28203
Cell: (203) 610-0509
E-Mail:kcohn@breakinglimits.net