LEXINGTON, Ky. – July 12, 2018 – Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Kroger joined forces to donate more than 36,000 pounds of protein to God’s Pantry Food Bank. Smithfield’s contribution, equivalent to more than 145,000 servings, 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.
 
"Our mission is to reduce hunger in Central and Eastern Kentucky through community cooperation, making the best possible use of all available resources," said Mike Halligan, CEO of God’s Pantry Food Bank. "With help from Smithfield, we can make a greater impact in our local communities throughout the Eastern and Central areas of our state.”
 
This significant donation from Smithfield and Kroger will provide protein to many individuals and families in God’s Pantry Food Bank’s service area, which includes 50 counties.
 
"At Kroger, we know that meals matter and for some, no meal is guaranteed,” said Rodney McMullen, CEO of Kroger. "We are grateful for the opportunity to join forces with Smithfield and God’s Pantry Food Bank to bring nutrient rich protein to the hungry people of Kentucky.”
 
This is the 36th 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.
 
"Smithfield is committed to helping those across America who live with hunger," said Dennis Pittman senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "We understand hunger relief doesn’t happen overnight. With time, dedication, and hard work, we can fight food insecurity one community at a time.”
 
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 Kroger
Kroger’s Louisville Division operates 116 retail food stores in Kentucky, Southern Indiana and Southern Illinois. Our 17,354 division associates are dedicated to our Purpose: to Feed the Human SpiritTM, serving the region through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
 
About God’s Pantry Food Bank
The mission of God’s Pantry Food Bank is to reduce hunger in Kentucky through community cooperation making the best possible use of all available resources. Along with our network of nearly 400 partner agency and programs, the Food Bank serves 50 counties of Central and Eastern Kentucky distributing $100 worth of food for every $10 donated. Last year, God’s Pantry Food Bank and its partners distributed more than 34 million pounds of groceries to more than 190,000 individuals, including 13.5 million pounds of fresh produce. God’s Pantry Food Bank is a member of Feeding America. For more information visit us at www.godspantryfoodbank.org.
 
 
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