DES MOINES, Iowa, July 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Hy-Vee, Inc. joined forces to donate more than 38,000 pounds of protein to the Food Bank of Iowa. 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 152,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across Iowa. 

“At the Food Bank of Iowa, we gather and distribute nutritious resources to those who are struggling with food insecurity while building active partnerships to raise awareness of hunger within our communities,” says Michelle Book, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa. “With the help of Smithfield and Hy-Vee, this donation will aid more than 175,000 Iowans fighting hunger.”

Smithfield and Hy-Vee representatives presented the donation to the Food Bank of Iowa 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 Iowa. 

“This is another great way for Hy-Vee to help address concerns of food insecurity, and to continue our focus on the well-being of the communities we serve,” said Mark Luke, store director at the Mills Civic Hy-Vee who spoke at the event. “We thank Smithfield and the Helping Hungry Homes initiative for their continued generosity.”

This is the 38th 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 Foods is dedicated to assisting communities across the country that are battling with food insecurity,” said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. “With this donation to the Food Bank of Iowa, we can further their efforts to provide nutritious and delicious food to the hungry people of Iowa.”   

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 Iowa
Food Bank of Iowa is a private, not-for-profit organization committed to its mission of providing food to Iowa children, families and seniors to lead full and active lives, strengthening the communities where they live. Food Bank of Iowa distributes donated food and grocery products through Iowa’s largest network of emergency food providers, consisting of about 500 partner agencies in 55 counties. Last year, Food Bank of Iowa distributed more than 13 million lbs. of food through a network of 500 partners, including food pantries, homeless shelters, schools, and more. To learn more, visit www.foodbankiowa.org or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/foodbankiowa. 

About Hy-Vee, Inc.
Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 245 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $10 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 10 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 5 favorite grocery stores. The company’s more than 80,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.

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