CHARLOTTE, NC – March 30, 2018 – Smithfield Foods, Inc. donated more than 88,000 pounds of protein to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. Smithfield’s contribution to the food bank is part of the company’s 2018 Helping Hungry Homes® tour. Now in its 10th year, Helping Hungry Homes® is Smithfield’s signature hunger-relief initiative focused on helping Americans become more food secure. The donation, equivalent to more than 354,000 servings, will help families fight hunger in the Metrolina region.
 
“We strive to eliminate hunger through education, advocacy, and collaborations with likeminded partners, like Smithfield, who help to make a greater impact in our shared mission,” said Kay Carter, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. “We are grateful for this substantial donation of protein—an item that many in our service area desperately need to complete a nutrient-rich, well-balanced meal.”
 
This significant donation provided by Smithfield will provide protein to many individuals and families in the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina’s expansive service area, which includes 19 counties across North and South Carolina, and more than 527,000 individuals who face hunger.
 
This is the 11th large-scale protein donation made by Smithfield to food banks across the country during the company’s 2018 Helping Hungry Homes® tour. Since the program’s inception in 2008, Smithfield has provided more than 100 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts, and community outreach programs nationwide.
 
“Smithfield is honored to provide this gift of wholesome protein to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina,” said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. “We are dedicated to fighting food insecurity through donations of high-quality protein. It is our hope that this gift will assist our North and South Carolina neighbors in need for weeks on end, and inspire others in the area to get involved in their community.”
 
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 Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
As part of Feeding America, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina - serves 19 counties in North and South Carolina. In FY2016-2017, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina distributed over 54 million pounds of food and household items to more than 700 hunger feeding agencies including emergency pantries, soup kitchens, senior programs, shelters and low-income daycares.
 
 
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