LISLE, Ill., May 04, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eckrich, the makers of naturally hardwood smoked sausage and savory deli meats, joined Woodman’s Markets and Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families, to honor an Omro, Wis. military family Tuesday night.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eb489376-4986-4000-bb2b-a9d380b200c4
Multi-Award winning, country music singer Easton Corbin welcomed the Vandeyacht family backstage before his concert in Madison and surprised them with a gift of $5,000 in free groceries at Woodman’s Markets, courtesy of Eckrich. The family then watched Corbin perform during the Storyteller Tour headlined by Carrie Underwood.
"It has been a lot of fun meeting our military families and giving back to them,” said Corbin. “I am humbled each time I join Eckrich and Operation Homefront in their efforts to give back to military families. I want to thank the Vandeyacht family for their service and hope they enjoy the free groceries from Eckrich at Woodman’s Markets.”
Sgt. 1st Class Jon Vandeyacht served honorably in the United States Army from 1991 to 2013. He was deployed to and served in Iraq three times. Jon and his wife Mary have one daughter.
"What an amazing surprise,” said Mary Vandeyacht. “It's comforting to know companies like Eckrich continue to support military families. This gift of groceries is truly a blessing."
This event is part of the ongoing campaign by Eckrich to honor, thank and support military families through its partnership with Operation Homefront. The Vandeyacht family is supported by Operation Homefront’s Hearts of Valor® program, a network of caregivers for wounded, ill or injured service members. Operation Homefront supports these caregivers through annual retreats, support groups and online communities.
Eckrich, in its fifth year of partnership with Operation Homefront, has donated more than $2 million to the organization since 2012. Now through July 4th, Eckrich is donating 5 cents for every purchase of specially marked products, up to $500,000, to Operation Homefront to assist military families. Eckrich is a brand of Smithfield Foods.
“Eckrich is proud to partner with Easton Corbin and Woodman’s Markets to honor the Vandeyacht family for their sacrifice,” said Chuck Gitkin, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Smithfield Foods. “We are proud to thank, support and honor our military families across the country and hope that Vandeyacht family enjoys their gift of $5,000 in free groceries.”
For more information about Eckrich, please visit www.eckrich.com.
About Eckrich
Founded by Peter Eckrich in 1894, Eckrich has a rich heritage starting from a small meat market in Fort Wayne, Ind. Through it all, Eckrich meats have been recognized for their great taste and supreme quality, craftsmanship, care and pride. For more information, visit www.eckrich.com.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $14 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®, Nathan's Famous®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, 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.
About Operation Homefront
A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront builds strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. With more than 3,200 volunteers nationwide, Operation Homefront has provided assistance to tens of thousands of military families its inception shortly after 9/11. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 92 percent of Operation Homefront’s expenditures go directly to programs that provide support to our military families. For more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net.
About Easton Corbin
Mercury Nashville recording artist Easton Corbin is lauded for his traditional country sound, authentic lyrics and mastery of understatement. American Songwriter says, "Easton Corbin has one of those rare, glorious voices that was made—just made—for singing country music.” His self-titled debut album released in 2010 and spawned back-to-back hits “A Little More Country Than That” and “Roll With It;” making him the first country male artist in 17 years to have his first two consecutive singles reach No. 1. In 2012 the Gilchrist County, Florida native released his sophomore album, All Over The Road, which included the Top 5 hits “Lovin’ You Is Fun” and “All Over The Road.” Corbin set a career-best debut on Country Airplay with his top 5 hit single, “Baby Be My Love Song," from his No. 1 debuting album About To Get Real. His new single “Are You With Me” will be released to radio in late May. Corbin is currently on tour with Carrie Underwood’s The Storyteller Tour.