Smithfield has announced its 2016 nationwide hunger-relief tour as part of the company's Helping Hungry Homes program. This tour will include more than 30 large-scale protein donations to food banks across the United States totaling more than 3.4 million servings. Through this tour, Smithfield hopes to provide wholesome food to millions of Americans struggling with hunger every day.
"To say that someone is ‘food insecure' means that person does not know where his or her next meal is coming from. As a food company, it is our responsibility to help our neighbors in need. We founded the Smithfield Helping Hungry Homes program in 2008, and have since donated more than 37 million servings of protein," said Dennis Pittman, Smithfield Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. "This year, we're going coast-to-coast with more than 30 stops in between to continue supporting the fight against hunger, and make people aware that food insecurity is a significant problem nationwide. We salute the food banks across the country, and encourage individuals and corporations alike to get involved and support your local communities."
Throughout this year's Helping Hungry Homes tour, Smithfield will partner with local food banks and retailers, as well as national and local celebrities, to deliver these donations. Today, Smithfield kicked off the tour in Los Angeles alongside celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffmann by providing 50,000 pounds of protein to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. This donation will provide more than 200,000 servings to families and individuals in the surrounding areas.
"Donations like this provide significant support to our mission to fight hunger in our community" said Michael Flood, CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. "We're grateful for partners like Smithfield whose contributions greatly help those who struggle with hunger."
More than 35 million Americans suffer from food insecurity. Smithfield has a long history of stocking food banks, supporting after-school nutrition programs, and providing food relief in the wake of natural disasters. In 2008, Smithfield established its Helping Hungry Homes initiative to support the fight against hunger across the country, and has since donated more than 37 million servings of protein to food banks across America.
