SAN DIEGO, Dec. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods joined forces with Vons to donate more than 38,000 pounds of protein to Feeding San Diego. 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 150,000 servings, will help those fighting hunger in communities across the San Diego area, where one in eight individuals, including one in five children, are food insecure.

"Each week, we serve more than 63,000 children, families and seniors struggling with hunger," said Vince Hall, CEO of Feeding San Diego. "This gift from Smithfield Foods and Vons allows us to provide a steady source of protein—an essential nutrient—to those who otherwise may have not known from where or when their next meal would come."

Smithfield and Vons representatives presented the donation to Feeding San Diego 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 nearly 400,000 individuals in San Diego County who face hunger.

"At Vons, we have always taken our community responsibilities seriously and we're proud to stand with Smithfield to address hunger in our neighborhoods," said Shane Dorcheus, Southern California division president for Vons. "We are excited to continue our good neighbor policy by providing protein to those who rely on Feeding San Diego for support."

Throughout its 2017 Helping Hungry Homes® tour, Smithfield has made large-scale protein donations to more than 60 food banks across the country. Since 2011, Smithfield has provided more than 85 million servings of protein to hunger relief organizations through this initiative.

"At Smithfield, we know that we are stronger when we join forces with local, likeminded organizations that support our mission to eliminate hunger," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "We hope this donation's positive impact on the San Diego area will inspire others to become further involved in efforts to better the communities they call home."

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Ⓡ, Farmer JohnⓇ, KretschmarⓇ, John MorrellⓇ, Cook'sⓇ, GwaltneyⓇ, CarandoⓇ, MargheritaⓇ, Curly'sⓇ, Healthy OnesⓇ, MorlinyⓇ, KrakusⓇ 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 Feeding San Diego
Established in 2007, Feeding San Diego (FSD) is the leading hunger-relief organization in the county, providing 25.2 million meals within the last year, and the only Feeding America affiliate in the region. FSD provides food and resources to a network of more than 245 distribution partners serving 63,000 children, families and seniors each week. Focused on healthy food, education and advocacy, FSD is building a hunger-free and healthy San Diego through innovative programs and collaborative partnerships. To learn more about Feeding San Diego and its hunger-relief initiatives, visit feedingsandiego.org.

About Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions
Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with both a strong local presence and national scale. We operate stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 19 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs. The Southern California Division of the company operates under the banners of Albertson, Vons and Pavilions.  Albertsons Companies is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2016 alone, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the company gave nearly $300 million food and financial support to the more than 2,300 communities it serves, improving the lives of millions of people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, programs for people with disabilities, and veterans outreach.

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/857d560c-bb69-4ec5-b228-75b6976cfc41