MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Kroger joined forces to donate 42,000 pounds of protein to the Mid-South community in Memphis to benefit more than 2,000 local veterans at a Thanksgiving food drive, and those in need through the Mid-South Food Bank's 31-county service area. Smithfield’s contribution, equivalent to more than 168,000 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.

“Smithfield returns to us again this year as an active partner in the fight against hunger,” said Estella Mayhue-Greer, president and CEO of Mid-South Food Bank. “This donation is so incredibly important for this time of year and will provide those in need with support this holiday season.”

Smithfield presented the donation at a Thanksgiving food drive for local veterans at Liberty Bowl Stadium, in Memphis. The food drive was hosted by Kroger, the City of Memphis, and Alpha Omega Veterans Services. The event provided Thanksgiving care packages to more than 2,000 local veterans, and raised awareness of food insecurity in the Mid-South community. During the event, Mayor Jim Strickland, Smithfield, and Kroger discussed the significance of protein donations in helping to support the many Mid-South community members who face food insecurity each day.

“Our partnership and involvement with Smithfield and its ongoing hunger-relief efforts continues to be as rewarding as it is impactful in the areas we serve,” said Scot Hendricks, president of Kroger Delta Division and Mid-South Food Bank board member. “Kroger is thankful to work alongside a company such as Smithfield at this donation and countless others year-round to advance our mission to Feed the Human Spirit™.”

This is the 51st large scale protein donation made by Smithfield to food banks across the country during the company’s 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 place hunger relief and veterans initiatives on the highest level of importance,” said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. “This donation is special for us, as it displays these key factors of our company’s social purpose and will play an important role in fighting hunger for many during a time of great need.”

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, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Mid-South Food Bank
The Mission of Mid-South Food Bank is to change lives by eliminating hunger in the Mid-South.  We distribute food through a network of partner food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, youth programs and more in 31 counties in west Tennessee, north Mississippi and east Arkansas.  Last year, Mid-South Food Bank distributed more than 13 million pounds of food to hungry Mid-Southerners. 

About Kroger
Every day, the Kroger Family of Companies makes a difference in the lives of eight and a half million customers and 443,000 associates who shop or serve in 2,796 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Kroger and its subsidiaries operate an expanding ClickList offering – a personalized, order online, pick up at the store service – in addition to our 2,255 pharmacies, 784 convenience stores, 319 fine jewelry stores, 220 retail health clinics, 1,445 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States. Kroger is recognized as one of America’s most generous companies for its support of more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the military and their families, and more than 145,000 community organizations including schools. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable.

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5c5dadf-4b1b-4684-8042-ea03f6e95a28.