INDIANAPOLIS, April 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. has donated more than 34,000 pounds of protein to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. 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 138,000 servings, will help families fight hunger in central and southeast Indiana.

“Our mission is simple and direct: To lead the fight against hunger,” said John Elliott, president and CEO of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. “Hundreds of thousands of hungry Hoosiers depend on the resources we provide. We thank Smithfield for supporting our mission and those who rely on it with this donation of much-needed protein.”

This is the 14th large-scale protein donation made by Smithfield to food banks across the country during its 2019 Helping Hungry Homes® donation 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 strive to help those in need through our hunger-relief efforts, a cause we remain committed to through our company’s social purpose,” said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. “We understand the great need for nutrient-rich protein as part of a complete diet, and that many are struggling to fulfill this need. As a food company, we are proud to provide this protein donation to our Indiana neighbors in need and all across the country through donations just like this one through our Helping Hungry Homes® program.”

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 Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc.
On a yearly basis, hundreds of thousands of hungry Hoosiers depend on food and other critical grocery products provided by Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. Gleaners supplies items to hunger relief agencies and schools throughout 21 counties in central and southeastern Indiana.

Gleaners was founded in 1980 and is a member of Feeding America the nation’s food bank network.  Charity Navigator has recognized Gleaners as a 4-Star organization for six consecutive years, the highest rating for charity demonstrating fiscal management and accountability. Since its inception, Gleaners has distributed over 420 million pounds of food and critical grocery products through nearly 600 hunger relief agencies, schools and community partners serving needy Hoosiers. In addition to food distribution to agencies, we serve our most vulnerable populations, seniors and children, through specialty programs such as the BackSacks: Weekend Food for Kids, School-Based Pantry, Mobile Pantry, Summer Meals for Kids, and Senior Hunger Initiative Programs. To learn more, visit www.gleaners.org.

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