Hams for the holidays
Published 2:54 pm Monday, December 18, 2023
Daniella Best, a Smithfield Foods employee and volunteer at the company’s “Hams for the Holidays” distribution event hands a bag of grocery items from Kroger to one of the thousand recipients of free holiday meals. (Photos by Stephen Faleski | The Smithfield Times)
Smithfield Foods volunteers unload spiral sliced hams from a truck.
Smithfield Foods distributed 1,000 free spiral sliced hams to Hampton Roads families in need on Dec. 16 at its meatpacking plant in town.
The company worked with the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank and the Foodbannk of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern shore to identify and invite individuals and families at risk of food insecurity. Kroger partnered with Smithfield Foods to donate 1,000 grocery bags filled with side items to provide families with a complete holiday meal.
More than 50 Smithfield Foods employees volunteered at the distribution event.
“I grew up in Smithfield and have lived in this area nearly all my life, and I’ve seen the positive impacts Smithfield Foods has made in this community in the 30-plus years of my career here,” said Keller Watts, chief business officer for Smithfield Foods.
“Kroger is pleased to support the efforts of our local food bank partners, who do so much to fight hunger in the community,” said James Menees, corporate affairs manager for Kroger.
“Smithfield Foods continues to be a cherished partner of ours through their dedication to supporting our neighbors who are in need of healthy meals and hope,” said Karen Joyner, chief executive officer of Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.
“This event exemplifies the spirit of compassion and generosity that defines the holiday season and Smithfield Foods’ commitment to their hometown community,” said Christopher Tan, president and CEO of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.
