DENVER, May 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and King Soopers joined forces to donate more than 39,000 pounds of protein to Food Bank of the Rockies. 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 157,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across Colorado and Wyoming.

"At Food Bank of the Rockies, our mission is to make food security a reality for every family in our expansive service area," said Kevin Seggelke, president and CEO of Food Bank of the Rockies. "We are extremely appreciative for this generous donation from Smithfield Foods and we are looking forward to the positive impact it will have on our communities."

Smithfield and King Soopers representatives presented the donation to Food Bank of the Rockies at an event at the food bank this morning. Members of the organizations discussed food insecurity in the local community and the significance of this donation, which will provide protein throughout the food bank's service area, including more than 50 counties in Colorado and Wyoming.

"Like Smithfield, we are committed to ending hunger in the communities we serve," said Dennis Gibson, President of King Soopers. "We are proud to partner with Smithfield on this donation to help support individuals in need across our area."

This is the 24th 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.

"We are proud to offer support to Food Bank of the Rockies and the nearly 134,000 individuals they serve daily," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "Although this donation will positively impact many individuals in the Rockies, hunger is a national issue, and we encourage others to join us in this fight against hunger across the country."

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 Food Bank of the Rockies
Food Bank of the Rockies, a non-profit organization, distributed nearly 49 million meals last year through our direct service programs and partner agencies, serving clients in Northern Colorado, including Metro Denver, and the entire state of Wyoming. 1 in 10 Coloradans, including 1 in 6 Colorado children, struggle with hunger.  Since 1978, FBR has provided more than 615 million meals to people in need in our community. Food Bank of the Rockies is a member of Feeding America.  For additional information, please visit www.foodbankrockies.org.  "Like" FBR on Facebook and Instagram, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our blog!

About King Soopers
King Soopers operates 153 stores, 149 pharmacies and 91 fuel centers in Colorado. For more than 70 years, King Soopers has emphasized a customer-first approach to providing quality products, value pricing, outstanding service and an exceptional shopping experience.  We are dedicated to making a difference in the communities we serve by supporting hunger relief through our Zero Hunger Zero Waste Program. For more information about King Soopers, download the free King Soopers mobile app or connect on King Soopers.com, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

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