Sioux Falls, SD., Jan. 23, 2019 — Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce an employee-led donation of $568,823 to the Sioux Empire United Way in Sioux Falls, South Dakota during its 2018 fundraising campaign to support the organization’s mission to lead, sustain, and nurture a unified and effective response to community needs. This donation is the largest annual donation provided by the Sioux Falls facility and is part of an annual tradition of employee giving, totaling more than $7 million since 1999.
“We are truly grateful for the generous contributions that Smithfield employees continue to make to support the United Way,” said Brandi Miller, marketing director at Sioux Empire United Way. “When we’ve needed assistance, Smithfield has stepped up. Whether it’s by providing additional volunteers, serving on our Board of Directors, directly volunteering for local agencies, or enthusiastically supporting our campaign, we know we can count on their support.”
Smithfield’s Sioux Falls facility contributed a record-breaking employee-led donation this season, with more than 85 percent participation from employees. The contribution will benefit 39 local non-profit organizations that rely on the Sioux Falls United Way campaign, and will have a direct impact on bettering the lives of others to bring positive change to children, families, and the elderly.
“Smithfield’s business depends largely on our employees and the strength of the communities where we live and work,” said Mark Wiggs, plant manager at Smithfield’s Sioux Falls facility. “We’re proud of our employees’ initiative to participate regularly to such a worthy community cause.”
Smithfield’s facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was established in 1909 and employs nearly 3,600 local employees.
For more information about Smithfield’s commitment to its local communities, please visit smithfieldfoods.com/helpingcommunities.
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, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
About Sioux Empire United Way
Sioux Empire United Way leads a unified response to community needs in Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, and Turner Counties. This year’s Sioux Empire United Way campaign supports 86 local programs. Funding is made available through the support of more than 700 local businesses and 24,000 individual givers.
Media Contacts:
Smithfield Foods, Inc. Sioux Empire United Way
Lisa Martin Annie Wold
lvmartin@smithfield.com annie@seuw.org
(757) 365-1980 (605) 336-2095