Smithfield Donates more than 320,000 Servings of Protein to Two Virginia Food Banks to Fight Community Hunger During Commonwealth Clash Week
In celebration of the Smithfield® Commonwealth Clash rivalry games, the brand stopped by Feeding Southwest Virginia and Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to donate a combined total of 80,000 pounds of protein to aid in local hunger relief. This donation will provide more than 320,000 servings of much-needed protein to families throughout the surrounding areas.
Representatives from Smithfield presented the donations during events that took place earlier today at each respective food bank. Speakers discussed the importance of donations for Virginia communities, where one in eleven people experience hunger.
As a Virginia-based brand and longtime supporter of the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech athletic departments, Smithfield is a presenting sponsor of the Commonwealth Clash rivalry games between the schools for all sports for the 2021-2025 seasons. As part of the sponsorship, the brand is collaborating with both schools on game day activations, fan opportunities and community outreach events. These joint donations will unite the opposing sides for the benefit of their hometowns by providing valuable center-of-the-plate nourishment to local children, seniors and families while helping the food banks maintain their current high volume of food distribution.
This significant donation is part of Smithfield Foods’ Helping Hungry Homes initiative, the company’s coast-to-coast effort to help families and individuals become more food secure. Since 2008, the company has donated hundreds of millions of protein servings to food banks, community outreach programs and disaster-relief efforts in all 50 states. To learn more, click here.
“Smithfield Foods is proud to bring these essential provisions to two incredible food banks in our home state of Virginia in appreciation for their tireless work this past year,” said Jonathan Toms, community development manager for Smithfield Foods. “It is crucial, now more than ever, to help our neighbors experiencing hunger following a year-and-a-half of hardships, and we’re honored to have the opportunity to bring ‘rivalry’ communities together as one to help fight food insecurity during the Commonwealth Clash week.”
“Feeding Southwest Virginia is thrilled to accept this wonderful donation from Smithfield as we continue our ongoing battle against hunger in our community, especially during this critical time,” said Pamela Irvine, President and CEO for Feeding Southwest Virginia. “This donation will help provide thousands of meals for neighbors across our 26-county service area. We are truly grateful to the team at Smithfield for their continued support of our mission.”
“Protein-rich foods are essential in our fight against nutrition insecurity, so we couldn’t be more thrilled for this wonderful donation of Smithfield products,” said Michael McKee, CEO for Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. “Hunger relief partnerships like this allow us to amplify our impact across central and western Virginia.”