CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 19, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Food Lion joined forces to donate more than more than 42,000 pounds of protein to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. Smithfield’s contribution was part of the company’s 2019 Helping Hungry Homes® donation tour. 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 169,000 servings, will help families fight hunger in the Metrolina region.

“Smithfield has remained an incredible partner in hunger relief through its Helping Hungry Homes® program,” said Kay Carter, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. “Our efforts to promote food security with nutritious resources across the North and South Carolina counties we serve are made possible by partners like Smithfield and Food Lion, who have come together to make a collective impact in our communities.”

Representatives from Smithfield Foods and Food Lion presented the donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina at an event at the food bank this morning. Members of each organization discussed food insecurity in the local community and the significance of this donation that will provide protein throughout the food bank’s service area, which includes more than 527,000 individuals who face hunger in 19 counties across North and South Carolina.

“Food Lion is about food. That’s why we are so passionate about helping to alleviate hunger and supporting community-minded partners who are working year-round toward ending hunger,” said Benny Smith, manager of community relations for Food Lion’s Eastern market. “We are proud to partake in this generous donation with Smithfield that will go to our neighbors in need across the communities we all call home.”

This is the seventh large-scale protein donation made by Smithfield to food banks across the country during its 2019 Helping Hungry Homes® tour. Since the program’s inception in 2008, Smithfield has provided more than 120 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts, and community outreach programs nationwide.

“At Smithfield, we understand that hunger takes on many forms and affects those from all walks of life across the country,” said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. “As a food company, we value our ability to step in and provide high-quality protein to alleviate hunger for those facing food-insecurity, especially here in North Carolina, a state we call home.”

With more than 10,000 employees in the state of North Carolina, Smithfield’s donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina aligns with its commitment to contribute to the vitality of the communities where its employees live and work.

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, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
As part of Feeding America, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina serves 19 counties in North and South Carolina. In FY2017- 2018, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina distributed over 54 million pounds of food and household items to over 700 hunger feeding agencies including emergency pantries, soup kitchens, senior programs, shelters and low-income daycares.
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About Food Lion
Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, has more than 1,000 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and employs more than 63,000 associates. By leveraging its longstanding heritage of low prices and convenient locations, Food Lion is working to own the easiest full shop grocery experience in the Southeast, anchored by a strong commitment to affordability, freshness and the communities it serves. Through Food Lion Feeds, the company has committed to provide 500 million meals to individuals and families in need by the end of 2020. Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam-based Royal Ahold Delhaize Group. For more information, visit www.foodlion.com.

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