SPRINGFIELD, Ill., June 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Schnucks joined forces to donate more than 42,000 pounds of protein to Central Illinois Foodbank. 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 170,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across central and southern Illinois.

"There's an increased need for high-quality protein in the summer since children are out of school. This generous donation from Smithfield Foods will help ensure that our neighbors in central and southern Illinois have access to healthy, nutritious food," said Pam Molitoris, executive director of Central Illinois Foodbank. "We are thankful for this partnership and our participation in the Helping Hungry Homes® tour."

Smithfield and Schnucks representatives presented the donation to Central Illinois Foodbank at an event at the Foodbank 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 21 counties in central and southern Illinois.

"Like Smithfield, we are dedicated to making an impact on our community through giving back year-round," said Mike Greenwood, Schnucks store manager. "We are proud to join Smithfield and the Central Illinois Foodbank in the battle against hunger."

This is the 29th 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 understand and acknowledge the demand for healthy and nutritional meals to support those who are fighting food insecurity," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "We donated more than 77,000 pounds to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank on Tuesday. This donation in Springfield now brings the total donated through Helping Hungry Homes® in Illinois this week to more than 120,000 pounds. By partnering with the Central Illinois Foodbank and Schnucks, we continue to provide support and create awareness for a common issue people face every day." 

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 Central Illinois Foodbank
Central Illinois Foodbank, established in 1982, distributes more than 9.4 million pounds of food annually to over 160 food pantries, soup kitchens, residential programs and after-school programs in a 21 county region. Central Illinois Foodbank is a member of Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization. The mission of the Foodbank is to provide food, and develop awareness of and creative solutions for food insecurity.

About Schnucks
Founded in St. Louis in 1939, Schnuck Markets, Inc. is a third-generation, family-owned grocery/pharmacy retailer committed to nourishing people's lives. The company takes pride in its community partnerships and gives more than $13 million annually in food to food pantries and more than $1.5 million to not-for-profit organizations through the company's My Schnucks Card program. Schnucks operates 100 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa. Privately held, Schnucks employs more than 13,000 teammates. Follow Schnucks on Facebook at www.facebook.com/schnucks. 

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7ffab817-b959-4821-8e17-2607f74e9111