Smithfield Foods and Kroger Give Back This Holiday Season
In a generous effort to combat food insecurity during the festive season, Smithfield Foods, in partnership with The Kroger Co., successfully distributed 1,000 complimentary holiday hams along with grocery bags filled with side dishes on December 16 in southeastern Virginia. This initiative is part of their annual Season of Serving event.
The event was organized in collaboration with the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, highlighting a strong commitment to helping local families during a time of increased need.
Community Commitment
“The Tidewater region of Virginia has been our home for nearly 90 years, and we are deeply committed to supporting our neighbors,” stated Shane Smith, President and CEO of Smithfield Foods. “Through our partnership with Kroger, we can help make the holiday season brighter for many local families facing food insecurity in our community.”
Addressing Food Insecurity
James Menees, head of communications and public affairs for Kroger, emphasized the company’s responsibility in addressing the issue of food insecurity. “We are grateful to partner with Smithfield and together make a difference this holiday season,” he remarked.
The Voices of Nonprofit Leaders
Nonprofit leaders expressed their appreciation for the support. “Families are feeling the strain of the season, and this support arrives at a meaningful time,” said Christopher Tan, President and CEO of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. “We’re grateful to Smithfield Foods and Kroger for helping ensure more households can sit down for a holiday meal. Their commitment strengthens our shared effort to provide reliable access to food for neighbors across our community.”
Bob Latvis, President and CEO of the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, commented, “No one on the peninsula should have to choose between essential needs and a meal. Support from partners like Smithfield and special distributions like this one strengthen our collective ability to ensure every family has access to the food they need to celebrate together.”
Ongoing Initiatives
Smithfield Foods’ hunger-relief initiative, Helping Hungry Homes, has provided hundreds of millions of servings of protein across all 50 U.S. states since its inception in 2008. In 2024 alone, the company donated over 25 million servings of protein, valued at nearly $28 million, to food banks, disaster relief, and community outreach programs nationwide.
Learn More
To discover more about Smithfield’s community initiatives, visit smithfieldfoods.com/good-is-what-we-do.
[RELATED: Festival Foods, Smithfield Donate Protein To WI Food Banks]
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