Smithfield Foods Donates More Than 36,000 Pounds Of Protein To The Vermont Foodbank
Hannaford Supermarkets Joins the 26th Stop of Smithfield’s 2019 Helping Hungry Homes® Tour
Jonathan Toms, left, of Smithfield Foods, and Hannaford’s Brian Fabre joined Nicole Whalen of the Vermont Foodbank in announcing a generous donation of 36,000 pounds of protein.
BARRE, Vt. – May 16, 2019 – Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Hannaford Supermarkets joined forces to donate more than 36,000 pounds of protein to the Vermont Foodbank. Smithfield’s contribution was part of the company’s 2019 Helping Hungry Homes® donation tour. 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 144,000 servings, will help families fight hunger across the state of Vermont.
“At the Vermont Foodbank, we aim to support the health of our communities by providing quality food so that no one in Vermont goes hungry,” said Nicole Whalen, Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Vermont Foodbank. “One in four people struggle with hunger in our state, but with help from generous partners like Smithfield, we can support our neighbors in need.”
Representatives from Smithfield Foods and Hannaford presented the donation to the Vermont Foodbank at an event at the Foodbank this morning. Members of each organization discussed food insecurity in the local community and the significance of this donation that will provide protein throughout the food bank’s service area, which includes more than 150,000 individuals who face hunger across the state of Vermont.
“We’re proud to play an active role in improving the quality of life in the communities we serve,” said Brian Fabre, Community Relations Specialist for Hannaford. “Through this joint donation with Smithfield, we are able to make sure our neighbors in need in Vermont have wholesome, nutritious meals this summer.”
This is the 26th large-scale protein donation made by Smithfield to food banks across the country during its 2019 Helping Hungry Homes® tour. Since the program’s inception in 2008, Smithfield has provided more than 130 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts, and community outreach programs nationwide.
“Smithfield is truly passionate about helping fill the shortfall of nutritious, protein-rich food sources that food banks often face,” said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. “We are committed to our company’s social purpose to feed those in need, and honored to provide such an impactful donation to the people of Vermont.”
For more information about Smithfield Foods’ Helping Hungry Homes® initiative and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.com.