Clinton, N.C. (Jan. 22, 2018) — Smithfield Foods, Inc., is proud to announce that the company has contributed $7,400 to Butler Avenue Elementary School. The donation provides funds to supply second and third grade level students with Chromebooks for in-class use, which help advance students for grade-level requirements and beyond.
“Smithfield’s donation opens a doorway to knowledge for our students,” said Robert Turlington, principal of Butler Avenue School. “The ability to place in the hands of a child a device that can open doors to infinite lessons, instruction, and assessments that can all be structured to meet the individual needs of each and every student is invaluable to a teacher. For the student, it provides them an opportunity to excel beyond expectations.”
Butler Avenue Elementary has entered a digital age where teacher instruction, lessons, tutoring, assessments, and enrichment are now delivered using digital tools. Without the digital tools and systems used on Chromebooks, students may fall behind, unprepared to meet the technological demands of the 21st century work force.
Prior to the donation, the school reported a limited number of Chromebooks, which were only available for teacher instruction and did not meet students’ needs. Providing Chromebooks for students helps teachers ensure all children succeed by giving teachers the versatility to differentiate instruction at the level of students’ capacity and target specific areas for growth.
“Nurturing our communities is something we care deeply about at Smithfield,” said Terry Orness, general manager of Smithfield’s Clinton, North Carolina facility. “We’re passionate about opening opportunities for all, at every age, and helping future generations enter the workforce more prepared. It’s truly a privilege to provide the children of our Clinton community with the tools needed for educational success.”
Smithfield Foods’ support of Butler Avenue Elementary aligns with its commitment to contribute to the vitality of the communities where its employees live and work. Smithfield’s Clinton, North Carolina facility was established in 1950 and employs more than 1,800 local employees.
For more information about Smithfield’s charitable efforts, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com/key-outreach-efforts/smithfield-foundation.
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.