ALEXANDRIA, La., May 13, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This morning, Smithfield and Super 1 Foods donated 23,000 pounds of protein to the Food Bank of Central Louisiana in an effort to provide support and help alleviate food insecurity in Central Louisiana and to replenish supplies that were distributed during the recent flooding. The Food Bank of Central Louisiana serves individuals and 104 member agencies in 11 parishes of Louisiana all working throughout the year to fight hunger.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f7e3889f-48df-4338-8a7d-a131ceef414a
“Each month we work to feed more than 22,400 needy individuals and the recent flood has only increased the need for protein, which is a valuable resource not often donated to the Food Bank of Central Louisiana,” said Jayne Wright-Velez, executive director of the Food Bank of Central Louisiana. “We are grateful to Smithfield and other donors for their continued support as we continue to rebuild our community.”
“Smithfield salutes the food banks, first responders, and other organizations who have tirelessly provided time and resources to help the Central Louisiana community and neighbors,” says Dennis Pittman, Smithfield Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. “We are pleased to continue their aid efforts, and provide more than 92,000 servings of protein to local families and individuals and help alleviate food insecurity during this time of need. Smithfield encourages others who are able to help to get involved by reaching out to the Food Bank of Central Louisiana to see how they too can contribute.”
“Super 1 Foods is honored to join Smithfield in bringing this generous food donation to the Alexandria community,” said Mike Terry, Brookshire Grocery Company’s executive vice president – retail and category management. “We are committed to helping prevent hunger and are so pleased to provide food to those in need as we partner with Smithfield and their Helping Hungry Homes initiative.”
Representatives from Smithfield and Super 1 Foods presented the donation to the Food Bank of Central Louisiana this morning at the food bank located at 3223 Baldwin Ave, Alexandria, La.
The donation is part of Smithfield’s Helping Hungry Homes initiative, a coast-to-coast program to help Americans become more food secure. This year, the program will help fight hunger through more than 30 large-scale protein donations to food banks across the United States totaling more than 3.4 million servings.
To learn how you can contribute to the Food Bank of Central Louisiana, please visit www.fbcenla.org.
More Information
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 38 million servings of protein to food banks across America.
About the Food Bank of Central Louisiana
The Food Bank of Central Louisiana is a non-profit organization whose mission is to alleviate hunger in Central Louisiana. The Food Bank distributes more than 6.9 million pounds of food and grocery products annually to needy families through a network of approved charitable agencies in the following eleven parishes: Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon and Winn. The Food Bank of Central Louisiana is a member of Feeding America and the Louisiana Food Bank Association.
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 and slow-smoked holiday hams to marinated tenderloins, 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, ribs, and a wide variety of fresh pork cuts, the company services retail, foodservice, and deli channels across the United 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 $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 Brookshire Grocery Co.
Brookshire Grocery Co. operates 152 stores in three states -- Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas -- with three distribution centers and five manufacturing facilities. Known for friendly service, clean stores and strong community support, BGC has been in operation since 1928.