Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Safeway joined forces to donate more than 34,000 pounds of protein to Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Smithfield’s contribution was part of the company’s 2018 Helping Hungry Homes® donation tour. Now in the program’s 10th year, Helping Hungry Homes® is Smithfield’s signature hunger-relief initiative focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. The donation, equivalent to more than 138,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across southern Arizona.
“Our mission is to change lives in the communities we serve by feeding the hungry today and building a hunger-free tomorrow,” said Michael McDonald, CEO of Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. “We are immensely thankful for this donation from Smithfield Foods, as it will provide thousands of local individuals struggling with food insecurity a wholesome meal for weeks to come.”
This significant donation from Smithfield and Safeway will provide protein to many individuals and families in the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona’s service area. The organization serves nearly 200,000 individuals each year with emergency food assistance.
“Along with Smithfield, we are committed to helping those living in the communities we call home,” said Lori Raya, southwest division president for Safeway. “Partnering with Smithfield's nationwide hunger-relief program is a natural fit and we are proud of our collective impact.”
This is the 13th large-scale protein donation made by Smithfield to food banks across the country during its 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.
“At Smithfield, we are committed to taking a leading role to help our hungry neighbors in need,” said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. “We are proud to present this donation to Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and hope this gift encourages others to join in the fight against 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®, 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 Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
Founded in 1976, the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona provides food for people in need, advocacy and nutrition education throughout southern Arizona including Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima and Santa Cruz Counties. The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona is a member of Feeding America. For more information visit www.communityfoodbank.org.
Media Contacts:
Dalton Agency for Smithfield Jana Beasley (904) 534-8568 jbeasley@daltonagency.com |
Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona Norma Cable (520) 848-6574 ncable@communityfoodbank.org |
Safeway Nancy Keane (480) 318-3082 Nancy.Keane@albertsons.com |