BALTIMORE– April 12, 2018 – Smithfield Foods, Inc. donated nearly 35,000 pounds of protein to the Maryland Food Bank as 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 139,000 servings, will help families fight hunger in Maryland.
 
“We are thankful for this generous donation of protein from Smithfield because these nutrient-rich options are not always readily accessible to our food-insecure neighbors,” said Carmen Del Guercio, CEO and president of the Maryland Food Bank. “This time of year, in particular, we appreciate the support of partners like Smithfield who recognize that high-quality foods are needed year-round if we truly hope to improve the lives of Marylanders in need.”
 
This significant donation from Smithfield will provide protein to the more than 682,000 individuals who face hunger in the Maryland Food Bank’s service area, which includes 21 counties and Baltimore City.
 
This is the 15th 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 recognizes there are many faces of hunger, and the need for food assistance is rising among children, seniors, and hardworking families,” said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. “We are committed to eliminating food insecurity through donations to community food banks and hunger-relief organizations, such as the Maryland Food Bank. It is our hope that this donation will prompt awareness of the issue and continued action 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 Maryland Food Bank
The Maryland Food Bank is a nonprofit hunger-relief organization, serving as the leading anti-hunger organization in the movement to end hunger in Maryland. For nearly 40 years, the Maryland Food Bank has partnered with communities across the state to distribute food to individuals and families in need. Through carefully crafted programs, the food bank aims to meet the immediate needs of Marylanders while simultaneously working to find long-term ways to reduce hunger statewide. Currently distributing more than 102,000 meals per day — more than 37 million meals annually — the Maryland Food Bank will continue to expand its efforts until hunger ends.
 
 
Media Contacts: