SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Sept. 12, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. is donating more than 40,000 pounds of protein to Feeding South Dakota to support recovery efforts after severe weather struck the Sioux Falls community on Sept. 10. The donation, equivalent to more than 160,000 servings, is part of Smithfield’s signature hunger-relief initiative, Helping Hungry Homes®, and will help families in need across the city.

“We are incredibly grateful to Smithfield for this generous donation of protein, which is especially important during times of disaster,” said Matt Gassen, CEO of Feeding South Dakota. “As a result of this donation, we will be able to provide aid throughout the area impacted.”

During the severe weather storm, a tornado swept through Sioux Falls with winds at more than 100 miles per hour. Smithfield has nearly 3,500 employees in the local community, and activated their Helping Hungry Homes® initiative to serve the company’s neighbors in need. Since the program’s inception in 2008, Smithfield has provided more than 140 million servings of protein to foodbanks, disaster-relief efforts, and community outreach programs nationwide.

“Sioux Falls is a place we call home, and Smithfield is humbled to serve our community during this time of recovery,” said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. “We’re thankful for the first responders that have worked to keep people safe, and we are proud to support our neighbors in this area.”

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. Popular brands include 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 Feeding South Dakota
Feeding South Dakota, whose mission is to end hunger in South Dakota, is the state’s largest charitable hunger relief organization. In FY19, Feeding South Dakota secured and distributed nearly 15.4 million pounds of quality nutritious donated and purchased food providing 12.8 million meals to nearly 100,000 individuals who are food insecure in South Dakota. Feeding South Dakota distributes this food from distribution centers in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City and through its network of agency partners across the state. For more information on Feeding South Dakota, visit feedingsouthdakota.org and find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.