WATKINS GLEN, N.Y., Aug. 7, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In celebration of the upcoming race weekend in Watkins Glen, Smithfield donated 25,000 pounds of protein to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier in partnership with Tops Friendly Markets and Richard Petty Motorsports to help serve the Watkins Glen community. This significant donation was part of Smithfield's Helping Hungry Homes tour, the company's coast-to-coast effort to help families and individuals become more food secure.
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Racing legend Richard Petty, who has partnered with Smithfield's Helping Hungry Homes program to donate thousands of pounds of protein over recent years, was present to discuss the importance of these donations from Smithfield, and to raise awareness about the necessity of providing assistance to our neighbors in need. Smithfield sponsors the Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 Ford race team.
Representatives from Smithfield and Tops Friendly Markets, presented the donation to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier on Friday, August 7 at 11:00 a.m. at the Tops Friendly Markets store located at 504 1/2 Franklin St., Watkins Glen, N.Y.
"We are very grateful to have such great partners at Smithfield and Tops Friendly Markets who have made this generous donation possible," said Natasha Thompson, President & CEO for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. "This product donation will provide a much needed boost in our mission to build and sustain hunger-free communities throughout the Southern Tier, starting right here in Watkins Glen."
"Tops' community mission is focused on helping to eradicate hunger," said Frank Curci, Tops Chairman, President and CEO. "Especially now, it's more important than ever to help our neighbors who are trying hard to make ends meet. We are proud to partner with Smithfield and Richard Petty Motorsports so we can help address this growing need."
"Smithfield has made more than 240 donations across the country under the company's Helping Hungry Homes program. Through this donation, we will provide more than 100,000 servings of protein to families in Watkins Glen," said Dennis Pittman, Smithfield Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. "We're proud to have partners like Tops Friendly Markets and Richard Petty Motorsports who share the same values about community involvement and working together to help alleviate hunger in the Watkins Glen area."
"The No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports team is honored to help make this donation to Food Bank of the Southern Tier," said No. 43 team owner Richard Petty. "So many race fans are loyal customers of Smithfield and shop at Tops, so it's really important for us to come together and give back to the communities that support our organizations throughout the year."
Smithfield Foods has a long history of stocking food banks, supporting after-school nutrition programs and providing food relief in the wake of natural disasters. In January 2008, Smithfield established their Helping Hungry Homes initiatives to help ensure that American families in need do not go hungry.
About the Food Bank of the Southern Tier
Established in 1981 and headquartered in Elmira, NY, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier distributes food and other grocery products to people in need through a network of more than 150 partner agencies including food pantries, meal kitchens, shelters and other hunger relief organizations in Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins Counties. The Food Bank also administers several direct service food distribution programs including the BackPack Program™ and Mobile Food Pantry. The Food Bank is a member of Feeding America and a regional agency of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester. The Food Bank helps fulfill Catholic Charities' commitment to create a just and compassionate society rooted in the dignity of all people by working together to build and sustain hunger-free communities throughout the Southern Tier.
About Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Markets, LLC, is headquartered in Williamsville, NY and operates 164 full-service supermarkets – 159 company-owned and five franchise locations. With more than 16,000 associates, Tops is a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont. For more information about Tops Markets, visit the company's website at www.topsmarkets.com.
About Richard Petty Motorsports
A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneur Andrew Murstein, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Aric Almirola pilots the famous No. 43 Ford Fusion with primary partners Smithfield Foods, U.S. Air Force, STP and Fresh From Florida, and Sam Hornish Jr. drives the No. 9 machine with primary partners Medallion Bank and Twisted Tea. In addition, Dakoda Armstrong wheels the No. 43 WinField Ford Mustang full-time in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. The team is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C.
About Smithfield
A leading provider of high-quality pork products, Smithfield was founded in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia, establishing the town as the "Ham Capital of the World." From hand-trimmed bacon to slow-smoked holiday hams, Smithfield brings artistry, authenticity and a commitment to heritage, flavor, and handcrafted excellence to everything it produces. With a vast product portfolio including smoked meats, hams, bacon, sausage, and fresh pork cuts, the company services retail, foodservice, and deli channels across the Unites States and 30 countries abroad. All of Smithfield's products meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. To learn more about how Flavor Hails from Smithfield, please visit www.Smithfield.com, www.Twitter.com/SmithfieldBrand, and www.Facebook.com/CookingWithSmithfield. Smithfield is a brand of Smithfield Foods.
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®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Nathan's Famous®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Carando® and Healthy Ones®. 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.
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