FLORENCE, S.C. – Dec. 21, 2018 – Smithfield Foods, Inc. has donated more than 82,000 pounds of protein to Harvest Hope Food Bank in time for the holidays. Smithfield’s contribution to the food bank is 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. This donation, equivalent to more than 330,000 servings, will help families fight hunger in South Carolina.
 
“At Harvest Hope Food Bank, we are truly thankful for all Smithfield has done for us in South Carolina, both immediately before and in the months following Hurricane Florence,” said Keith Ferrell, interim CEO of Harvest Hope Food Bank. “Smithfield’s donations of wholesome protein will serve our community members who are still recovering from the storm with a high-quality product throughout the holiday season.”
 
This significant donation from Smithfield will provide protein to many food insecure individuals and families in the food bank’s service area, which includes 20 counties and operates out of locations in Columbia, Florence, Greenville, South Carolina.
 
This is the 55th 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 recognize this community is in a time of great need, and applaud all that the food bank has done to ensure those seeking assistance are met with resources that are critical to its vitality,” said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. “We believe that helping to feed the hungry is simply the right thing to do, and we value the opportunity to provide nourishment to individuals in need.” 
 
For more information about Smithfield Foods’ Helping Hungry Homes® initiative and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.com.
 
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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 Harvest Hope Food Bank
Harvest Hope Food Bank is a non-profit organization serving people in need in 20 counties across South Carolina. Harvest Hope distributed more than 28 million pounds of food last year and fed approximately 38,000 people a week. Harvest Hope operates out of locations in Columbia, Florence, Greenville, SC. For more information visit harvesthope.org.
 
 
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