Smithfield Foods has donated 10 million pounds of protein, the equivalent of 40 million servings, to Feeding America member food banks across the country. The donation, originally announced in April to support communities impacted by the health and economic crisis surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, is part of Smithfield’s Helping Hungry Homes initiative.

Since the signature hunger relief program was founded in 2008, Smithfield has donated more than 200 million servings of protein to food banks and organizations addressing food insecurity across the country. More than 54 million people may face hunger in 2020 due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Feeding America is grateful for the ongoing support of Smithfield Foods and their commitment to helping to put food on the tables of families facing hunger,” said Blake Thompson, chief supply chain officer for Feeding America. “For more than a decade, Smithfield has been a dedicated partner in fighting hunger in America. Their donation of much-needed protein has made a tremendous impact on communities that needed it most the last few months.”

In addition, during September's Hunger Action Month, Smithfield Foods employees collected more than 57,000 pounds of food, the equivalent of nearly 48,000 meals. The food was distributed to 30 local food banks across the nation.

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“Smithfield Foods has a responsibility to help our fellow Americans navigate challenging times by alleviating hunger – not only during this month, but throughout the year,” said Jonathan Toms, manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. “As a food company, feeding people is what we do. I have never been more humbled to be a part of the Smithfield family as we have worked together to answer the call of addressing food insecurity.”

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