Smithfield Foods joined forces with Vons to donate more than 38,000 pounds of protein to Feeding San Diego. The donation was part of Smithfield's Helping Hungry Homes initiative, a program focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. Smithfield's contribution, equivalent to more than 150,000 servings, will help those fighting hunger in communities across the San Diego area, where one in eight individuals, including one in five children, are food insecure.
"Each week, we serve more than 63,000 children, families and seniors struggling with hunger," said Vince Hall, CEO of Feeding San Diego. "This gift from Smithfield Foods and Vons allows us to provide a steady source of protein—an essential nutrient—to those who otherwise may have not known from where or when their next meal would come."
Smithfield and Vons representatives presented the donation to Feeding San Diego at an event that raised awareness of hunger's impact in the local community. Members from all three organizations discussed the significance of protein donations in helping the nearly 400,000 individuals in San Diego County who face hunger.
"At Vons, we have always taken our community responsibilities seriously and we're proud to stand with Smithfield to address hunger in our neighborhoods," said Shane Dorcheus, Southern California division president for Vons. "We are excited to continue our good neighbor policy by providing protein to those who rely on Feeding San Diego for support."
Throughout its 2017 Helping Hungry Homes tour, Smithfield has made large-scale protein donations to more than 60 food banks across the country. Since 2011, Smithfield has provided more than 85 million servings of protein to hunger relief organizations through this initiative.
"At Smithfield, we know that we are stronger when we join forces with local, likeminded organizations that support our mission to eliminate hunger," said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. "We hope this donation's positive impact on the San Diego area will inspire others to become further involved in efforts to better the communities they call home."
