FARGO, N.D., July 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Hornbacher’s joined forces to donate more than 34,000 pounds of protein to the Great Plains 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 136,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across North Dakota.

“For years, we’ve been fighting hunger through community partnerships such as this one with Hornbacher’s and Smithfield Foods,” said Steve Sellent, CEO of the Great Plains Food Bank. “This donation will allow us to provide much-needed protein to those who need it most.”

Smithfield and Hornbacher’s representatives presented the donation to the Great Plains Food Bank 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 53 counties in North Dakota and western Minnesota and Hornbacher’s communities of Fargo, Moorhead and Grand Forks. Congressman Kevin Cramer (R-ND) attended as a special guest and event speaker to share support for the donation and those it will serve.

“Smithfield Foods and Hornbachers’ generous donation showcases our state’s spirit and community values,” said Cramer. “I appreciate the opportunity to highlight Smithfield and Hornbachers’ commitment to serving the most vulnerable in North Dakota. Their support of the Great Plains Food Bank will go far in serving many who lack some of the basic necessities we take for granted.”

“Hunger is a solvable problem, but one that can’t be accomplished alone,” said Matt Leiseth, president of Hornbacher’s. “With the help of Smithfield and the Great Plains Food Bank, we hope to create more awareness of the food insecurity taking place in our own community.”

This is the 34th 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 partner with the Great Plains Food Bank and Hornbacher’s to approach this prominent problem that many families and individuals face daily,” said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. “We understand the importance of healthy and nutritious meals, and we hope to inspire others to join us 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 the Great Plains Food Bank
Now in its 35th year, the Great Plains Food Bank serves as North Dakota’s only food bank. Its partner network includes 213 food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and other charitable feeding programs operating in 99 communities across N.D. and Clay County, Minn. Since 1983, the Great Plains Food Bank, through its partners and programs, have distributed more than 185 million pounds of food to children, seniors, and families in need. The Great Plains Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network and was named the Not-for-Profit of the Year for 2018 by the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.

About Hornbacher’s
Hornbacher’s first opened in 1951 and has always strived to have the highest-quality and freshest perishable products. Hornbacher’s is a longtime member of the Fargo-Moorhead business community and celebrated the grand opening of its first store in Grand Forks, N.D., in October 2015. Hornbacher’s takes pride in serving its communities through charitable, educational and nonprofit events. Find out more by visiting hornbachers.com. “Like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/Hornbachers and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/Hornbachers.

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/61353232-2649-4914-ac7e-c00775b17298