LINCOLN, Neb., May 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. has donated 26,000 pounds of protein to Food Bank of Lincoln. 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 104,000 servings of protein, will support continued recovery efforts in an area impacted by widespread flooding last month. 

“Smithfield’s generous donations enable our staff and volunteers to bring food and hope to our fellow Nebraskans as our communities remain in recovery from record flood damage,” said Scott Young, executive director of Food Bank of Lincoln. “Serving 16 counties in Nebraska is a challenge and partners like Smithfield keep us going with quality protein products during this time of heightened need.”

This is the 21st 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 130 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts, and community outreach programs nationwide.

“Smithfield is passionate about helping our neighbors in need,” said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. “We employ more than 3,000 team members across the state of Nebraska, and recovery efforts are happening right in our backyard. Smithfield is grateful to be in a position to make such a large impact for those in need.”

Earlier this year, the company provided a 20,000-pound donation of protein to Omaha-based Food Bank of the Heartland to support disaster relief in the wake of historic flooding. The company’s additional protein contribution will ensure more than 184,000 servings are provided to individuals and families still in recovery. 

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 Food Bank of Lincoln
The Food Bank of Lincoln serves 16 counties with a mission to alleviate hunger in Southeast Nebraska. During FY 2018, the Food Bank of Lincoln served an average of 10,000 individuals per week, connecting neighbors to more than 10 million meals in collaboration with more than 140 partner school and community agencies. For more information, visit www.LincolnFoodBank.org.

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