Publix, Smithfield Help South Florida Hungry

Publix Super Markets has teamed with Smithfield Foods’ Helping Hungry Homes initiative to donate more than 30,000 pounds of protein to Feeding South Florida. The Feb. 17 donation, equivalent to more than 120,000 servings, aims to help alleviate hunger across the region, where 25 percent of the state’s food-insecure population lives.

“Each year, we are able to set the table for more than 780,000 of our neighbors who struggle to make ends meet,” said Paco Vélez, president and CEO of Pembroke Park-based Feeding South Florida. “Our work could not be possible without the support of our community and companies like Smithfield. We are grateful for this large-scale protein donation, which will help bring much-needed meals to countless local families.”

Smithfield and Publix representatives presented the donation to Feeding South Florida at an event at which members from all three organizations spoke about the effect of food insecurity in the local community and the significance of the donation.

“At Publix, we understand hunger affects millions of people nationwide,” said Maria Brous, director of media and community relations for Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix Super Markets. “We are proud to continue our partnership with Smithfield, a company that shares our passion to fight hunger and food insecurity in local communities.”

Smithfield’s donation to Feeding South Florida was part of its Helping Hungry Homes 2017 nationwide donation tour. Throughout the annual tour, The Virginia-based company will provide large-scale protein donations to more than 50 food banks nationwide. This donation adds to the more than 49 million servings of protein donated since the advent of the program. Future Helping Hungry Homes tour stops in Florida include Orlando and Daytona Beach.

“At Smithfield, we are passionate about supporting our communities in need,” noted Dennis Pittman, Smithfield’s senior director of hunger relief. “By providing donation to Feeding South Florida, thousands of our hungry neighbors will be able to provide their families with high-quality, nutritious protein.”

Privately owned and operated by its 189,500 employees, Publix has 1,143 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.