Smithfield donates 25,000 pounds of protein to The Food Bacnk of South Central Michigan

Smithfield’s Helping Hungry Homes truck pulled into Jackson this morning for the 24th stop on the 2016 nationwide hunger-relief tour to donate more than 25,000 pounds of protein to the Food Bank of South Central Michigan. The donation will provide more than 100,000 servings and help the Food Bank continue to provide meals to the South Central Michigan community, where one in six people suffers from hunger.

 

Smithfield partnered with Meijer and Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) to present the donation during an event at the Jackson Meijer, 3333 E. Michigan Ave. Speakers discussed the importance of donations like these in South Central Michigan.

 

“The King” of racing, Richard Petty, who has partnered with the Smithfield 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.

 

Helping Hungry Homes, now in its eighth year, is Smithfield’s coast-to-coast tour to help Americans become more food secure. This year, the program will help fight hunger through more than 35 large-scale protein donations to food banks across the United States totaling more than 3.5 million servings. To date, Helping Hungry Homes has provided more than 40 million servings of protein to food banks across America.

 

“We truly appreciate community partners like Smithfield and Meijer who help make our work at the Food Bank of South Central Michigan possible,” said Patty Parker, executive director at the Food Bank. “Food insecurity continues to be an issue in Jackson County, with more than 24,000 people not knowing where their next meal is coming from on any given day. We thank Smithfield for their amazing donation of protein. It will go a long way in meeting the needs of those who are hungry in this community.”

 

“Food is such a fundamental need, but unfortunately, it’s something that many of our neighbors are struggling to put on their tables,” said Meijer Spokeswoman Christina Fecher. “As a retailer with a mission to feed people, hunger has become an important philanthropic focus. We are pleased to partner with Smithfield to help the Food Bank of South Central Michigan make a difference in the community.”

 

“Smithfield is proud to partner with Meijer and RPM to honor the Food Bank of South Central Michigan and present this donation through our Helping Hungry Homes program,” said Dennis Pittman, Smithfield senior director of hunger relief. “As a food company, it’s our responsibility to feed our neighbors in need. Through this donation, we are proud to provide wholesome protein to families and individuals throughout South Central Michigan, where more than one in five children suffer from hunger.”

 

“RPM is honored to participate in this donation during Michigan race weekend,” said Richard Petty. “So many race fans are loyal customers of Smithfield and shop at Meijer, so it’s great to see the two organizations partnering to give back to the communities that support them, and our race team, throughout the year.”

Smithfield PR