Jonathan Toms of Smithfield Foods (second from right) presents check for $33,334 to NWA Food Bank staff members (from left) Linda Phillips, Mike Williams, Tom Stallbaumer and Austin Harms
Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Gallo Family Vineyards partnered to donate more than 30,000 pounds of protein and $33,334 to Northwest Arkansas Food Bank as a result of their Pairings with a Purpose campaign. As part of the program, Smithfield and Gallo committed to donating 5 pounds of protein and $5 to the food bank for each dual purchase of a Gallo Family Vineyards wine product and a Smithfield marinated fresh pork product.
“At Smithfield Foods, we value our connection to the communities in which we operate and are dedicated to the wellbeing of those in need,” said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. “Pairings with a Purpose provided the opportunity for our customers and consumers alike to get involved in a great cause. We are proud to support the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank as we work together.”
This donation caps off the first month of Smithfield’s 2020 Helping Hungry Homes® program as part of the company’s ongoing focus on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. The donation follows an event in Miami, Fla. earlier this week and arrives just in time for the Big Game. This month alone, Smithfield has donated more than 70,000 pounds of protein to its neighbors in need and will continue their efforts to fight hunger by providing donations to dozens of communities across America throughout the year.
“We’re grateful for partners like Smithfield Foods and Gallo Family Vineyards who are committed to combatting food insecurity and providing the necessary resources like protein to our food bank,” said Kent Eikenberry, President and CEO of Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. “This donation will help support the more than 65,000 men, women, senior citizens and children that face hunger in Northwest Arkansas every day.”
The donation, equivalent to 120,000 servings of protein, was presented to the food bank this morning during an event that discussed the issue of food insecurity and the significance of the contribution, which will provide meals for thousands facing hunger across Arkansas.
“Smithfield Foods and Gallo Family Vineyards share the common goal of providing purpose to communities across the country,” said Micah Davis of Gallo Family Vineyards. “We are thrilled to make this donation and look forward to providing additional resources to those in need in the future.”
For more information about Helping Hungry Homes® and a list of upcoming donation events, visit smithfieldfoods.com/helpinghungryhomes.
For more information about NWA Food Bank, visit www.nwafoodbank.org.
Smithfield Foods representatives, NWA Food Bank staff and volunteers unload the donated protein
Jeff Thacker, Ross Phillips and Matt Shelby help to unload the donated protein