Paula Deen at the America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia. (Photo: Steve Bisson/Savannah Morning News)

Paula Deen, right, tosses a ham to a waiting line of supporters at the America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia. (Photo: Steve Bisson/Savannah Morning News)

Smithfield Foods and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union are working together to donate to Feeding America — The Nation's Food Bank Network.

The two entities will collaborate to donate almost 20 million servings of protein (estimated quarter-pound per servings) over three years. Smithfield and UFCW rolled out the program on November 10 in the South Bronx, with a donation to the Food Bank for New York City. The event featured Food Network star Paula Deen.

The previous week, on November 5th, Smithfield supported Christopher Newport University students, staff and administrators who, for eight hours, stuffed cardboard boxes with food in front of the Ferguson Center for the Arts. Folks at the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula, were happy to see the tractor-trailer from Smithfield Foods roll in with more than 13,500 pounds of ham and fresh pork from the company and the Luter family.

Smithfield and the United Food and Commercial Workers will continue their efforts coast-to-coast over the next three years to donate and deliver more than 1,600,000 pounds of protein, or over 6,400,000 servings each year, to help families and individuals become more food secure.

 “We want to get as much food as possible to as many needy families as possible,” said Paula Deen. “I feel so grateful that Smithfield and the United Food and Commercial Workers are helping deliver protein to the pantry.”

“Smithfield Foods is committed to hunger relief,” said Dennis Pittman, Public Affairs Director, Smithfield. “We felt the need to help shine a spotlight on an ever-increasing problem for American families. Providing hunger relief will continue to remain a priority.” 
  
Smithfield and UFCW officials hope that this joint venture will prompt others into action: "It's something the food industry needs to get involved in. We hope other members of the food and beverage industry will step up," Pittman adds.

 ‘Feeding the Hungry’ is one of Smithfield Foods’ ‘Helping Hungry Homes’ initiatives. ‘Helping Hungry Homes’ was established to help ensure that American families in need do not go hungry. Smithfield Foods and its independent operating companies have a long history of stocking food banks, supporting after-school nutrition programs and providing food relief in the wake of natural disasters.