SPRINGFIELD, Ill., June 06, 2018 -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Schnucks joined forces to donate more than 42,000 pounds of protein to Central Illinois Foodbank. Smithfield’s contribution was part of the company’s 2018 Helping Hungry Homes® donation tour. Now in the program’s 10th year, Helping Hungry Homes® is Smithfield’s signature hunger-relief initiative focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. The donation, equivalent to more than 170,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across central and southern Illinois.
“There’s an increased need for high-quality protein in the summer since children are out of school. This generous donation from Smithfield Foods will help ensure that our neighbors in central and southern Illinois have access to healthy, nutritious food,” said Pam Molitoris, executive director of Central Illinois Foodbank. “We are thankful for this partnership and our participation in the Helping Hungry Homes® tour.”
Smithfield and Schnucks representatives presented the donation to Central Illinois Foodbank at an event at the Foodbank this morning. Members of the organizations discussed food insecurity in the local community and the significance of this donation, which will provide protein throughout the food bank’s service area, including 21 counties in central and southern Illinois.
“Like Smithfield, we are dedicated to making an impact on our community through giving back year-round,” said Mike Greenwood, Schnucks store manager. “We are proud to join Smithfield and the Central Illinois Foodbank in the battle against hunger.”
This is the 29th large scale protein donation made by Smithfield to food banks across the country during its 2018 Helping Hungry Homes® tour. Since the program’s inception in 2008, Smithfield has provided more than 100 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts, and community outreach programs nationwide.
“At Smithfield, we understand and acknowledge the demand for healthy and nutritional meals to support those who are fighting food insecurity,” said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. “We donated more than 77,000 pounds to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank on Tuesday. This donation in Springfield now brings the total donated through Helping Hungry Homes® in Illinois this week to more than 120,000 pounds. By partnering with the Central Illinois Foodbank and Schnucks, we continue to provide support and create awareness for a common issue people face every day.”
For more information about Smithfield Foods’ Helping Hungry Homes® initiative and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.com.