TYLER, Texas, April 22, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Brookshire Grocery Co. joined forces to donate more than 41,000 pounds of protein to East Texas Food Bank. 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 167,000 servings, will help alleviate hunger in East Texas.

“Our mission is to fight hunger and feed hope in East Texas,” said Dennis Cullinane, CEO of East Texas Food Bank. “With this incredible donation from Smithfield’s Helping Hungry Homes® program, we are better equipped to do just that. This gracious donation of wholesome protein will go a long way for those we serve.”

“Helping to alleviate hunger in East Texas is a cause we care very deeply about,” said Brad Brookshire, Chairman and CEO for Brookshire Grocery Co. “We are truly grateful for this opportunity to partner with Smithfield to help meet food needs here in our local communities.”

This is the 19th 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 are passionate about our social purpose and our efforts to alleviate hunger,” said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. “It is truly amazing to see what we are able to accomplish when we come together with like-minded partners, like Brookshire’s and East Texas Food Bank, to support a cause we all care so deeply about. It is our hope that this donation will help our neighbors in need and inspire others to get involved in the fight against hunger.”

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 East Texas Food Bank
The East Texas Food Bank provides nearly 21 million meals each year to over 200 partner agencies and feeding programs in 26 East Texas counties.  Our vision is for a hunger-free East Texas and our mission is to fight hunger and feed hope in East Texas.  The East Texas Food Bank is a member of Feeding America and Feeding Texas.  To learn more, please visit EastTexasFoodBank.org.

About Brookshire Grocery Co.
Brookshire Grocery Co. is a regional family-operated retail grocery business with over 180 stores in three states – Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas – and three distribution centers. Known for friendly service, clean stores and strong community support, BGC has been in operation since 1928. Brookshire Grocery Co.’s mission is to create and deliver exceptional experiences and value to our customers through its core values.

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