FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods joined forces with Harris Teeter to donate more than 25,000 pounds of protein to Second Harvest Foodbank of Southeastern North Carolina (SHFB). 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 100,000 servings, will help those fighting hunger in communities across North Carolina, where one in six individuals are food insecure.

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"With the holidays upon us, we are incredibly thankful for this donation from Smithfield and Harris Teeter, which will deliver the gift of a complete meal to those we serve this season," said Ron Pringle, director of SHFB. "This donation is extremely significant as it provides protein, an always in-demand item, to many who may not have been able to acquire this nutrient-rich resource otherwise."

Smithfield and Harris Teeter representatives presented the donation to SHFB 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 more than 20 percent of individuals, including more than 27 percent of children, who face hunger each day in the food bank's seven-county service area.

"Harris Teeter is proud to stand with both Smithfield and SHFB in the fight against hunger to provide hunger-relief to our neighbors in need," said Danna Robinson, communication manager for Harris Teeter. "We're thrilled to see our continued partnership with Smithfield benefit the communities we call home through donations of much-needed, wholesome protein."

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.

"At Smithfield, we're proud to partner with Harris Teeter to present this donation of protein to SHFB," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "As a global food company, it's our privilege to provide food assistance to those in need and bring America one donation closer to ending hunger."

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 Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina
Since 1982, Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina (SHFB) has partnered with more than 250 member agencies, including churches, charities, and schools. In 2014, SHFB distributed approximately 10.4 million pounds, which equates to about 8.7 million meals. SHFB takes a strategic, multifaceted approach that provides assistance to those in need in its seven-county service area; Bladen, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson and Sampson County. When the Map the Gap report from Feeding America came out in 2015, it showed that nearly 1 in 6 North Carolinians depend on the food bank for food and other resources. Be part of the change and join us in the fight against hunger. For more information about Action Pathways programs and services, visit www.actionpathways.ngo or call (910) 485-6131.

About Harris Teeter
Harris Teeter, with headquarters in Matthews, N.C., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co. 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.

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