Last week, Smithfield Foods stepped up to provide much-needed food provisions to those that were hit by Winter Storm Uri in Texas. The storm didn’t stop in Texas, however, and traveled up to Kentucky. North Carolina was also hit with a tornado of its own. In light of these events, Smithfield is supplying donations again to those in Kentucky and North Carolina, providing nearly 77,000 pounds of protein.
“Smithfield feels a great responsibility to support the communities where our employees live and work,” said Jonathan Toms, Charitable Initiatives Manager at Smithfield Foods. “Members of our Smithfield Family in Grayson and other local residents in the surrounding area reached out to make us aware of the significant need following Winter Storm Uri. We are grateful they did and that we are able to help alleviate hunger in the state during this difficult time.”
The company is expediting a truckload of protein donations to God’s Pantry Foodbank, a Feeding America® food bank in Lexington serving central and eastern Kentucky, to support ongoing recovery efforts following Winter Storm Uri.
According to the release, the 37,000-pound donation of Smithfield products is part of the company’s signature hunger-relief initiative, Helping Hungry Homes®, which supports disaster-relief efforts across the U.S. as part of its mission.
“One out of every six people in central and eastern Kentucky face food insecurity,” said Michael Halligan, CEO for God’s Pantry Food Bank. “Winter storms made it harder to access nutritious food for so many who were already experiencing hunger in the middle of a pandemic. We are relieved and grateful to receive these protein donations from Smithfield to assist us with keeping our communities nourished.”
In addition to Kentucky, Smithfield turned its attention to North Carolina, dispatching a truck carrying nearly 40,000 pounds of protein to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina to aid disaster-relief efforts in the wake of a devastating EF-3 tornado that touched down in Brunswick County late last Monday. The natural disaster destroyed dozens of homes and left thousands without power amid winter storm conditions.
“Our thoughts are with the North Carolinians impacted by this horrific weather event,” said Toms. “We are grateful to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, as well as state emergency personnel, frontline responders, and all assisting the community in its recovery.”
Another company release noted Smithfield’s donation is enough to feed nearly 160,000 people and is facilitated through Helping Hungry Homes.
We at Deli Market News continue to hold those affected by the natural disasters and the current pandemic in our thoughts and will report as our industry continues to step up for those in need.
