Smithfield Employees, Local Volunteers Serve Hot Meals to More Than 2,500 'Hometown Heroes' Across Southeast North Carolina

Smithfield thanks healthcare workers and first responders for ongoing efforts to keep North Carolina's communities safe

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March 8, 2021

SMITHFIELD, Va., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Since Jan. 27, Smithfield Foods, Inc. has served hot meals to more than 2,500 healthcare workers and first responders across southeast North Carolina in appreciation for their ongoing efforts to keep communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hot to-go meals were provided at five events to Sampson Regional Medical Center employees in Clinton Jan. 27; healthcare and first responders of Pender County at Pender Memorial Hospital in Burgaw Feb. 10; employees of Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville Feb. 18-19; and employees of Cape Fear Valley Bladen County Hospital in Elizabethtown Mar. 5. The meals were served to medical workers by Smithfield employees and local volunteers outdoors at the respective hospital locations.

"The pandemic has highlighted the heroic efforts of our communities' first responders, healthcare and other essential workers. Just as the heroes in our Smithfield Family have answered the call to maintain the continuity of our food supply throughout the pandemic, we are humbled by the dedication of these 'hometown heroes' across North Carolina to keep us healthy and safe," said Steve Evans, director of community development for Smithfield Foods. "We decided to show our appreciation the way we know best: through good food. Thanks to our local volunteers and partner hospitals for collaborating with us to safely orchestrate these events for our communities."

Smithfield's 'hometown hero' events are part of the company's commitment to support communities where its employees work and live through targeted philanthropy, employee volunteerism and other engagement opportunities. For more information visit www.smithfieldfoods.com/sustainability/helping-communities.

About Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Headquartered in Smithfield, Va. since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. Our 40,000 U.S. team members and 14,000 European employees are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly.^®" and have made us one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including many industry firsts, such as our ambitious commitment to cut our carbon impact by 25 percent by 2025. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our neighbors in need. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield^®, Eckrich^® and Nathan's Famous^®, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.