CHICAGO, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Jewel-Osco joined forces to donate more than 35,000 pounds of protein to Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank. 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 143,000 servings, will help families fight hunger in Illinois.

"We know there is enough food to feed every man, woman and child here in Northern Illinois," said Julie Yurko, President and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank. "And through our strong network of partners like Smithfield Foods and Jewel-Osco and donations like this, we're able to close the meal gap a little more every year and get our neighbors the nutritious foods they need to grow and thrive."

"At a time when the Food Depository is serving 1 in 6 people in Cook County, we are incredibly grateful for Smithfield Foods' generosity," said Sheila Creghin, Food Depository vice president of operations. "Together, we can ensure men, women and children in our community have food and hope."

Smithfield and Jewel-Osco representatives presented the donation to Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank at an event at a local Jewel-Osco store 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 banks' service areas, including 14 counties in Northern Illinois.

"At Jewel-Osco, we feel supporting hunger relief is a natural fit," said Doug Cygan, president of Jewel-Osco. "We are proud to support not only the area children in need, but the countless members of our community who are fighting every day to provide for themselves and their families."

This is the 28th 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 Foods, we hope to show our dedication to people in need by partnering with impactful partners like Northern Illinois Food Bank, Greater Chicago Food Depository and Jewel-Osco," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "It is our privilege to take a stand against hunger in as many communities as possible, and we hope our donations are helpful to many individuals as we continue to contribute our time and donations 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 Northern Illinois Food Bank
Northern Illinois Food Bank leads the Northern Illinois community in solving hunger by providing nutritious meals to those in need through innovative programs and partnerships. Since 1983, food manufacturers, local grocers, corporations, foundations, and individuals have come together to donate food and funds, and evaluate and repack food for distribution to 800 community food pantries and feeding programs serving more than half a million hungry neighbors per year across 13 counties. That commitment provided 65.5 million meals to those in need in FY17. Find out how you can Volunteer, Donate and Get Involved at www.SolveHungerToday.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Northern Illinois Food Bank is a member of Feeding America.

Greater Chicago Food Depository
The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago's food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The Food Depository, founded in 1979, makes a daily impact across Cook County with a network of 700 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, mobile programs, children's programs, older adult programs and innovative responses that address the root causes of hunger. Last year, the Food Depository distributed more than 71 million pounds of shelf-stable food, fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of 164,000 meals every day. For more information, visit chicagosfoodbank.org or call 773-247-FOOD.

About Jewel-Osco
Jewel-Osco was founded in 1899 and is owned by New Albertsons, Inc. The grocery and drug retailer has 187 locations encompassing Illinois, Northwest Indiana and Iowa, and employs 31,000 associates. For more information log onto www.JewelOsco.com and follow on social media at Facebook.com/JewelOsco, Twitter.com/JewelOsco, Instragam.com/JewelOsco, Pinterest.com/JewelOscopr and YouTube.com/JewelOsco

Media Contacts:

Greater Chicago Food Depository
Paul Morello
773-843-5498
pmorello@gcfd.org

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/90ca435b-c9e2-4133-8712-02ddb8e35ff6