LISLE, Ill., Sept. 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — It was a special morning at a Kroger in Salem, Va., as Eckrich, Kroger and former NBA player and current commentator Cory Alexander honored a local military family. Eckrich, the makers of naturally hardwood smoked sausage and savory deli meats, presented the Rindorf family with $5,000 in free groceries at Kroger, courtesy of Eckrich.  

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=35969

Alexander, a star on the hardwood during his days as a University of Virginia Cavalier and NBA veteran, surprised the Rindorf family on behalf of Eckrich. 

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to say thank you to the Rindorf family today,” said Alexander.  “Eckrich has a wonderful campaign to support these families and I’m proud to be a part of today’s surprise.”

The gift of 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.

SGT Rindorf deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in 2004 as the Platoon Sergeant for the 89th MP BDE security platoon. He was responsible for more than 50 soldiers. Now medically separated, his wife Holly participates in Operation Homefront’s Hearts of Valor® program as his full-time caregiver.

“Eckrich is proud to partner with Kroger to honor a deserving Virginia military family,” said Chuck Gitkin, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Smithfield Foods. “Today’s event continues our dedication to support military families across the country. We are pleased to honor the Rindorf family with $5,000 in free groceries at Kroger.”

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.

About Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Division

The Mid-Atlantic Division operates 120 stores, 115 pharmacies and 83 fuel centers in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and the eastern portions of Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio. Headquartered in Roanoke, the Mid-Atlantic Division is dedicated to making a difference in the communities it serves by supporting hunger relief, women’s health, our troops and their families, and local schools and grassroots organizations. Kroger is also a strong supporter of the Salvation Army, American Red Cross and organizations that promote the advancement of women and minorities. In 2013, Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Division contributed nearly $13 million to communities served. Fortune magazine named Kroger the “most generous company in America.” For more information, visit www.kroger.com.

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]