Smithfield Foods’ employees collected more than 25,000 lbs. of food to champion the cause of hunger relief during Hunger Action Month, an annual nationwide initiative by Feeding America aimed at sparking dialogue and igniting passion to combat hunger. These contributions, equating to over 21,000 meals, will support food banks and hunger relief initiatives in Smithfield’s local communities throughout the U.S.
Jonathan Toms, the senior community development manager at Smithfield Foods, shares in a recent release how feeding the hungry is at the core of the company’s philanthropic efforts and Smithfield team members participate in this mission to fight hunger and food insecurity in their communities.
“We are incredibly thankful to Smithfield and their team members for their generous contributions, both during Hunger Action Month and throughout the year,” says Joe Weeden, senior director, commodity foods for Feeding America, in the release. “Our efforts to feed our neighbors facing food insecurity would not be possible without our partners like Smithfield. These donations of nonperishable food items, along with Smithfield’s frequent donations of protein, go a long way in helping the Feeding America network address hunger across the country.”
Feeding America’s recent survey revealed that in June 2023, 80% of its network food banks reported either increased or stable demand for emergency food services, underlining the ongoing need for such initiatives, says the release. Approximately one in six individuals sought support from charitable food assistance programs in 2022, as estimated by Feeding America.
Smithfield Foods remains committed to supporting Feeding America’s network of food banks throughout the year, primarily through its signature hunger-relief initiative, Helping Hungry Homes. Since 2008, this program has delivered hundreds of millions of protein servings to combat hunger in all 50 U.S. states, as well as in Poland, Romania, and Mexico, explains the release. In 2022 alone, Smithfield donated nearly 25 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts and community outreach programs across the U.S. Furthermore, the company has pledged to contribute 200 million servings of protein by 2025.
