MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods joined forces with Cub to donate more than 35,000 pounds of protein to Second Harvest Heartland. The donation was part of Smithfield's Helping Hungry Homes® initiative, a program focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. Smithfield's contribution, equivalent to more than 140,000 servings, will help those fighting hunger across southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, where one in 10 households are food insecure.

"Protein is a staple, center of the plate item that is much-needed during winter and is unfortunately hard for food assistance organizations to acquire," said Heather Olson, director of corporate partnerships & cause marketing at Second Harvest Heartland. "We are thankful for this considerable donation from Smithfield and Cub, which will provide nutrients and comfort to thousands of individuals in the area during cold-weather conditions."

Smithfield and Cub representatives presented the donation to Second Harvest Heartland at an event that raised awareness of hunger's impact in the 59 counties Second Harvest supports. Members from all three organizations discussed the significance of protein donations in helping the more than 532,000 individuals who are served each week by the Second Harvest Heartland.

"At Cub, we truly appreciate the opportunities we have to support our community and to work with other local companies and organizations to give back and make a difference," said Chad Ferguson, president of Cub Operations. "Cub is honored to stand with Smithfield to support Second Harvest Heartland in the fight against hunger by delivering this protein donation that will feed those in need for weeks to come."

Throughout its 2017 Helping Hungry Homes® tour, Smithfield will make large-scale protein donations to more than 60 food banks across the country. Since 2011, Smithfield has provided more than 80 million servings of protein to hunger relief organizations through this initiative.

"As a global food company, it's our honor to provide our neighbors in need with nutrient-rich protein," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "This donation to Second Harvest Heartland will provide many across the Food Bank's 59-county service area with a warm meal of wholesome protein."

For more information about Smithfield Foods' Helping Hungry Homes® initiative 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 Second Harvest Heartland
Second Harvest Heartland is one of the nation's largest, most efficient and most innovative hunger relief organizations.  Second Harvest Heartland provides an average of 75 percent of all food distributed by its food shelf partners, and in 2016, provided more than 80 million meals to nearly 1,000 food shelves, pantries and other partner programs serving 59 counties in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Second Harvest Heartland leads through innovation, finding efficient, effective solutions to connect the full resources of our community with our hungry neighbors. For more information, visit 2harvest.org or call 651.484.5117.

About Cub
Cub, based in Stillwater, Minn., was established in 1968 as one of the nation's first discount grocery stores. The organization was purchased in 1980 by SUPERVALU® and operates 80 stores in Minnesota and Illinois that offer customers fresh produce, a wide selection and food expertise throughout the stores to meet their everyday grocery needs. As the hometown grocer for nearly 50 years, Cub has made it a priority to be a good corporate citizen by helping to create healthy and thriving communities that enhance the quality of life for its customers, employees and neighbors. For company news and information, follow us on Twitter® at @CubFoods and Facebook® at www.facebook.com/Cub, or visit our website at www.cub.com.