John Morrell on Monday extended its efforts to help fight hunger with a donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. Together with Homeland Stores, the company donated 500 pounds of John Morrell ham to the nonprofit. John Morrell has also matched Homeland Stores' customers' donations of $8,890 to support No Kid Hungry's® work to end childhood hunger in America, totaling $17,780.
The event is a local complement to the brand's commitment to No Kid Hungry, which is helping to end childhood hunger in this country by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and have healthy meals in the summer, and that their families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. In 2013, John Morrell announced that it was supporting No Kid Hungry to ensure all children in America have the healthy food they need, every day.
"John Morrell's partnership with No Kid Hungry is an excellent way for us to make a difference by helping children and families in need get the food they need," said Chuck Gitkin, senior vice president, marketing, Smithfield Foods. "Supporting the fight against hunger in the communities where we work and live is important to everyone at Smithfield Foods. We are proud of our relationship with No Kid Hungry, and are thankful for the support of partners such as Homeland Stores."
One in four children in the state of Oklahoma struggles with hunger. The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma City partners with No Kid Hungry to help provide a solution by empowering families with skills to prepare healthy and affordable meals at home.
"One of the hardest donations for the Regional Food bank to secure is protein, a much-needed dietary staple," said Rodney Bivens, executive director of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. "We want to thank John Morrell for their donation of 500 pounds of ham. It will help many of our Oklahoma neighbors, who often have to forego protein in their diet in favor of less expensive food choices."
For more information about No Kid Hungry and to join John Morrell in supporting the campaign, please click here.
