LISLE, Ill., Sept. 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In conjunction with the beginning of the college football season, Eckrich, the makers of naturally hardwood smoked sausage and savory deli meats, and Albertsons partnered to honor a local military family prior to the home opener of the Boise State University Broncos.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=35850
Retired Army Specialist Thomas Hopkins, his wife, Kristina, and their two daughters were surprised outside an Albertsons store with free groceries for one year, courtesy of Eckrich. The family was then invited to attend the game and be a part of a special on-field ceremony to recognize their sacrifice and gift from Eckrich and Albertsons.
“We are so grateful that Eckrich is giving our family one year of free groceries at Albertsons,” said Hopkins. “One year of free groceries will help us take care of our daughters, and the money that we will be able to save is life-changing. Thank you to Eckrich, Albertsons and Operation Homefront for helping our family in such a big way.”
The gift of free groceries is part of the ongoing campaign by Eckrich to honor, thank and support military families through its partnership with Operation Homefront, a national non-profit whose mission is to build strong, stable and secure military families.
Eckrich, in its fourth year of partnership with Operation Homefront, recently surpassed $1 million in donations since 2012.
“Today’s event is part of our national campaign to recognize military families as Eckrich kicks off a new season of college football,” said Chuck Gitkin, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Smithfield Foods. “It is our privilege to thank the Hopkins family with one year of free groceries during Friday’s big game in Boise.”
For more information about Eckrich please visit www.facebook.com/EckrichMeats. Eckrich is a brand of Smithfield Foods.
About Eckrich
Founded by Peter Eckrich in 1894, Eckrich has a rich heritage starting from a small meat market in Fort Wayne, Ind. Through it all, Eckrich meats have been recognized for their great taste and supreme quality, craftsmanship, care and pride. For more information, visit www.eckrich.com.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook’s®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Nathan’s Famous®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly’s®, Carando® and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.
About Operation Homefront
A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 2,500 volunteers with nationwide presence who provide emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors. Operation Homefront has provided assistance to thousands of military families since its inception in 2002. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity watchdog groups, nationally, 92 percent of Operation Homefront’s expenditures go directly to programs that provide support to our military families. For more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net.
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
CONTACT: Laura Pugh
Breaking Limits for Eckrich
2137 South Blvd., Suite 200
Charlotte, N.C. 28203
Direct: 704-766-9074
Cell: 704-728-4091
E-Mail: [email protected]