Smithfield "Helping Hungry Homes" Program to Deliver 150,000 Servings of Protein to Greenville and Wilmington Food Banks

Smithfield “Helping Hungry Homes” Program to Deliver 150,000 Servings of Protein to Greenville and Wilmington Food Banks

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WHAT: Smithfield will deliver 150 thousand servings of protein jointly to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Greenville and Wilmington as a continuation of its ‘Helping Hungry Homes’ initiative to help feed families in our nation who are food insecure. Donations are made through Feeding America – The Nation’s Food Bank Network.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Piggly Wiggly (Smithfield Retail Partner)

600 N. Mclewean Street

Kinston, NC 28466

252.527.0649

Background:

‘Helping Hungry Homes’ was established to help ensure that American families in need do not go hungry. Smithfield Foods and its independent operating companies have a long history of stocking food banks, supporting after-school nutrition programs and providing food relief in the wake of natural disasters.

Food Banks nationwide are reporting a 25 percent increase in the number of people coming to them for help. The current recession and the continuing rise in unemployment are having a profound effect on Food Banks’ ability to meet the demand. As a result, food assistance organizations across the country have been reporting over the past year that more individuals and families are turning to them for assistance including more first-time visitors, unemployed workers, employed individuals, seniors and families with children.

Piggly Wiggly, a longstanding retail partner of Smithfield and a dedicated supporter of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Greenville and Wilmington, also will participate in the program.

“Smithfield Foods is committed to hunger relief,” said Dennis Pittman, Public Affairs Director, Smithfield. “We felt the need to help shine a spotlight on an ever-increasing problem for American families. Providing hunger relief will continue to remain a priority.”

About Smithfield

Smithfield, a name familiar to millions of Americans, is committed to environmental leadership, community involvement, employee safety, animal welfare and high-quality food. It is seeking to help the people of Central and Eastern North Carolina by providing these needed servings of protein. With sales of $12 billion, Smithfield Foods is the leading processor and marketer of fresh pork and packaged meats in the United States, as well as the largest producer of hogs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

About the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina

· In the 34 counties served by the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, the Feeding America 2010 Study estimates that we now provide emergency food for an estimated 545,000 different people annually.

· 29% are children under 18 years old

· 8% are elderly

· 30% of households include at least one employed adult.

· 8% are homeless

· Since the economic downturn, our 800 partner agencies have seen a 30 to 60 percent increase in those needing emergency food assistance.

In a few weeks, more than 250,000 children across the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina’s 34-county service area who currently have access to the free and reduced meal program at school will be on summer break. Summer is historically a time when food drive donations tend to slow down for all food banks across the country. People are out of their normal pattern. They are on vacation. Hunger is not foremost on their minds.

During the summertime, community-based non-profit agencies supported by the Food Bank report an increase in the number of parents and grandparents seeking food assistance for their families. This donation will allow us to provide needed protein for thousands of meals.

About Piggly Wiggly Carolina Company
Piggly Wiggly has more than 66 stores located in North Carolina and Virgina, all independently owned and operated by business people who live in the towns were they are located. For more informaton, www.pigglywiggly.com.

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More About the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Greenville

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Greenville is a non-profit organization that serves 10 of the 34 counties in the total service area.
The Greenville branch serves Carteret, Craven, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Onslow, Pamlico, and Pitt. Edgecombe and Wilson counties are shared with our Raleigh Branch.
The Greenville Branch is located at 497 West 9th Street in Greenville.
The Greenville warehouse is 22,900 square feet.
In fiscal year 2008-2009, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Greenville distributed 7,371,030 pounds of food to a network of 153 partner agencies (including food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, group homes).
The Greenville Branch has experienced a 19% growth in distribution in the last four years.

The Need in the Greenville Branch Service Area

In the ten counties served by the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Greenville, 105,552 individuals are at risk of hunger.
9,283 are 65 years and older.
38,850 are children.

About the Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina at Wilmington

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Wilmington is a non-profit organization that serves four of the 34 counties in the total service area.

The Wilmington Branch serves Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties.
The Wilmington warehouse is located at 1314 Marstellar Street, Wilmington, NC 28402and is 11,190 square feet.
In fiscal year 2008-2009, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Wilmington distributed 4,007,529 pounds of food to a network of 83 partner agencies (including food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, group homes).
The Wilmington Branch has experienced a 16% growth in distribution during the last four years.

The Need in the Wilmington Branch Service Area

In the four counties served by the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Wilmington, 56,469 individuals are at risk of hunger.
6,641 are 65 years and older.
16,897 are children.