RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 14, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On Saturday, Smithfield partnered with MARTIN’S Food Markets, Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM), and Richmond International Raceway (RIR) to donate 25,000 pounds of protein to FeedMore’s Central Virginia Food Bank to help serve the greater Richmond community. This considerable donation, in celebration of the race weekend in Richmond, was part of Smithfield’s Helping Hungry Homes tour, the company’s coast-to-coast effort to help families and individuals become more food secure.

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“The King” Richard Petty and RPM’s No. 43 driver Aric Almirola, who have partnered with the Smithfield Helping Hungry Homes program to donate thousands of pounds of protein over recent years, were present to discuss the importance of these donations from Smithfield and to raise awareness about the necessity of providing assistance to our neighbors in need. Smithfield is the primary sponsor of the Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 Ford race team.

Petty and Almirola joined representatives from Smithfield, MARTIN’S Food Markets, and RIR along the RIR front stretch on Saturday afternoon to present the donation to FeedMore’s Central Virginia Food Bank. The donation coincided with Hunger Action Month, a time when individuals across America take action to fight hunger in their community.

“We rely on the support and generosity of our community and are so very grateful for this substantial donation from our friends at Smithfield,” said Doug Pick, chief executive officer at FeedMore. “In our world, protein is like gold and these 25,000 pounds will have a significant, and positive, impact on our neighbors in need and help us continue to support our more than 300 partner agencies throughout Central Virginia.”

“As a food retailer, MARTIN’S recognizes the important role we can play in local hunger relief efforts,” said Doug Sternberger, district director of MARTIN’S Food Markets. “We are so grateful that Smithfield is providing more than 25,000 pounds of food to benefit those served by FeedMore and is raising awareness for food insecurity in the Richmond community.”

“Smithfield has made more than 240 donations across the country under the company’s Helping Hungry Homes program. Through this donation, we will provide more than 100,000 servings of much-needed protein to families in Central Virginia,” said Dennis Pittman, Smithfield Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. “We’re proud to partner with MARTIN’S Food Markets, RPM and RIR to make this significant donation that will help alleviate hunger in the Central Virginia area and further our dedication to community involvement.”

“The No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports team is honored to help make this donation to FeedMore’s Central Virginia Food Bank,” said No. 43 team owner Richard Petty. “So many race fans are loyal customers of Smithfield and shop at MARTIN’S, so it’s really important for us to come together and give back to the communities that support our organizations throughout the year.”

“Richmond International Raceway is proud to partner with Smithfield and MARTIN’S for this Helping Hungry Homes donation,” said Dennis Bickmeier, RIRaceway President. “Together, we’re helping bring meals to families in our community that need them the most.”

Smithfield Foods has a long history of stocking food banks, supporting after-school nutrition programs and providing food relief in the wake of natural disasters. In January 2008, Smithfield established their Helping Hungry Homes® initiatives to help ensure that American families in need do not go hungry.

About FeedMore

FeedMore is Central Virginia’s premier hunger-relief organization comprised of programs like the Central Virginia Food Bank, Meals on Wheels and the Community Kitchen. Spanning nearly one-third of the state, across 34 counties and cities, FeedMore serves more than 200,000 individuals in the region’s most vulnerable populations – children, families and seniors. Working together to efficiently and effectively fight hunger, FeedMore’s multi-tiered approach and comprehensive programs are dedicated to nourishing the community while empowering lives. For additional information, please visit FeedMore.org, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

About GIANT/MARTIN’S

Founded in 1923 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, GIANT/MARTIN’S operates nearly 200 grocery stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, under the names of GIANT Food Stores and MARTIN’S Food Markets. GIANT/MARTIN’S employs more than 33,000 associates and is a division of Ahold USA. In addition to working with hundreds of local and regional organizations annually, GIANT/MARTIN’S has a long-standing focus on efforts to eradicate hunger and improve the quality of life for children. GIANT/MARTIN’S is one of the top ten fund-raisers in the country for local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. The company was also recognized as 2015 Chain Retailer of the Year by Grocery Headquarters. For more information visit the GIANT or MARTIN’S websites. Find GIANT and MARTIN’S on Facebook and on Twitter @GiantFoodStores or @MartinsFoodMkts.

About Richard Petty Motorsports

A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneur Andrew Murstein, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Aric Almirola pilots the famous No. 43 Ford Fusion with primary partners Smithfield Foods, U.S. Air Force, STP and Fresh From Florida, and Sam Hornish Jr. drives the No. 9 machine with primary partners Medallion Bank and Twisted Tea. In addition, Dakoda Armstrong wheels the No. 43 WinField Ford Mustang full-time in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. The team is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C.

About Richmond International Raceway

Richmond International Raceway, known as America’s Premier Short Track, offers night racing action and a commitment to the fan experience. One of the most popular facilities among drivers and fans in all of motorsports, Richmond International Raceway annually hosts two NASCAR Doubleheader weekends, featuring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series, under the lights on a ¾-mile D-Shaped oval. The unique layout traditionally produces exciting side-by-side racing, yet drivers reach high enough speeds for a superspeedway feel.

About Smithfield

A leading provider of high-quality pork products, Smithfield was founded in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia, establishing the town as the “Ham Capital of the World.” From hand-trimmed bacon to slow-smoked holiday hams, Smithfield brings artistry, authenticity and a commitment to heritage, flavor, and handcrafted excellence to everything it produces. With a vast product portfolio including smoked meats, hams, bacon, sausage, and fresh pork cuts, the company services retail, foodservice, and deli channels across the Unites States and 30 countries abroad. All of Smithfield’s products meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. To learn more about how Flavor Hails from Smithfield, please visit www.Smithfield.com, www.Twitter.com/SmithfieldBrand, and www.Facebook.com/CookingWithSmithfield. Smithfield is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

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.

The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.

CONTACT: Media Contacts:
         
         Hunter PR for Smithfield
         Tiffany Daggett
         (908) 472-5165
         [email protected]
         
         Hunter PR for Smithfield
         Elisabeth Garcia
         (610) 261-0583
         [email protected]
         
         Smithfield
         Diana Souder
         (757) 357-1675
         [email protected]
         
         Breaking Limits for RPM
         Heather Lumpp
         (847) 302-5509
         [email protected]
         
         Richmond International Raceway
         Aimee Turner
         804-513-0733
         [email protected]
         
         MARTIN'S Food Markets
         Samantha Krepps
         (717) 240-1017
         [email protected]
         
         FeedMore
         Jessica Howe
         (804) 237-8604
         [email protected]