Smithfield Foods employees and local volunteers served hot meals to more than 2,500 first responders and healthcare workers across southeast North Carolina.
In appreciation for first responders’ and healthcare workers’ ongoing efforts to keep communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Smithfield Foods, Inc. has served more than 2,500 free, hot meals in southeastern North Carolina since January 27.
Smithfield Foods provided hot take-out meals at five events: Sampson Regional Medical Center employees in Clinton on January 27; Pender Memorial Hospital in Burgaw on February 10; Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville on February 18 and 19 and Cape Fear Valley Bladen County Hospital in Elizabethtown on March 5. Smithfield employees and local volunteers served the meals outdoors at the respective hospital locations.
“The pandemic has highlighted the heroic efforts of our communities’ first responders, healthcare and other essential workers,” says Steve Evans, director of community development for Smithfield Foods.
“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. We decided to show our appreciation the way we know best: through good food.”
Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with a portfolio high-quality brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan’s Famous®, among many others. Smithfield’s Hometown Hero events are part of the company’s commitment to support the communities where its employees work and live through targeted philanthropy, employee volunteerism and other engagement opportunities.
“Thanks to our local volunteers and partner hospitals for collaborating with us to safely orchestrate these events for our communities,” Evans says.
For more information visit smithfieldfoods.com/sustainability/helping-communities.
