MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. has donated more than 41,500 pounds of protein to Mid-South 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 166,000 servings of protein, will help fight hunger across eastern Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and parts of Arkansas.

“We see the impact of providing food to those in need every day,” said Estella Mayhue-Greer, president and chief executive officer of Mid-South Food Bank. “The generosity of this donation of protein from Smithfield will make a huge difference to our neighbors throughout our 31-county service area and we could not be more grateful.”

This is the 22nd 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.

“As a food company, part of Smithfield’s social purpose is to help those in need and provide support to alleviate hunger in communities across the country,” said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. “We are humbled to be able to feed so many through this donation to Mid-South Food Bank and to continue our commitment to improving food security.”   

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 Mid-South Food Bank
Mid-South Food Bank distributes food to charitable feeding programs in 31 counties in west Tennessee, north Mississippi and east Arkansas, where more than 20% of the population struggles with food insecurity and hunger. www.midsouthfoodbank.org.

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