WARSAW, N.C., March 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced a $42,172 contribution to 34 primary and secondary schools in 21 counties across Eastern North Carolina, Eastern South Carolina, and Southern Virginia in partnership with AmeriGas, the nation's largest propane company. These donations, earned through the AmeriGas School Days program, will be used to provide school supplies, invest in new project initiatives, and fund teacher training and development.
“We are proud to provide much needed financial support for programs at schools throughout the communities where many of our employees live and work,” said Joe Szaloky, vice president of business development and procurement for Smithfield Foods. “Education is a key focus of Smithfield’s charitable giving program, and this partnership enables us to leverage our relationship with AmeriGas to make an impact in our area schools.”
Through this unique program, $0.02 per gallon of AmeriGas propane purchased is placed in a fund to be dispersed to partnering schools. Smithfield Foods’ donation totals from 2016 and 2017 were combined and divided among 34 schools enrolled in the program.
“We appreciate Smithfield’s business and we are grateful that they have taken full advantage of our School Days program,” said Brian Grimm, director of national accounts for AmeriGas. “It is such a pleasure to partner with an organization that firmly believes in the power of education to strengthen and transform communities.”
For more information about Smithfield’s focus on education and 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 AmerigGas School Days
The AmeriGas School Days Program offers schools a $0.02 per gallon incentive (up to $2,000 per year) to purchase items for any school-related need such as books, computers, sports equipment, band equipment, and art materials.
About AmeriGas Partners, L.P.
AmeriGas is the nation’s largest retail propane marketer, serving over 1.7 million customers in all 50 states from approximately 1,900 distribution locations. UGI Corporation, through subsidiaries, is the sole General Partner and owns 26% of the Partnership and the public owns the remaining 74%. Comprehensive information about AmeriGas is available on the Internet at http://www.amerigas.com.
Media Contacts:
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Lisa Martin
lvmartin@smithfield.com
(757) 365-1980
Amerigas
Alexandra Spooner
Alexandra.spooner@amerigas.com
(610) 337-7000 ext 7656
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5631bd86-b00d-4090-b08a-bfadcc03990b