Smithfield and Winn-Dixie partner with Richard Petty Motorsports to donate 40,000 pounds of protein

To celebrate the kick off to the 2014 racing season, Smithfield and Winn-Dixie are partnering to help feed Florida families by donating 40,000 pounds of protein to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida as part of Smithfield’s “Helping Hungry Homes” program.

 

Racing legend Richard Petty, who has partnered with the Smithfield Helping Hungry Homes program to donate thousands of pounds of protein over recent years, will be present to discuss the importance of these donations from Smithfield, and to help raise awareness about the necessity of providing assistance to our neighbors in need. Smithfield sponsors the Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 Ford with driver Aric Almirola.

 

Representatives from Smithfield and Winn-Dixie, along side Richard Petty, will present the donation at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 20th, during a press conference at Winn-Dixie (Store #2309), located at 323 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, FL.

 

Fans who attend the donation dressed as Petty will be included in a group photo with “The King” and receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes from Smithfield. Petty will draw the winning ticket for one lucky fan to receive a year’s worth of free Smithfield Bacon, and two Grand Prize winners will receive a pair of gift cards for the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

 

In addition, the first 50 fans to arrive to the donation event dressed as “The King” will receive a wrist band to participate in an on-site autograph session, during which Petty will sign one item per fan.

 

“One of the food types that our low-income neighbors have the hardest time affording are nutritious, high-protein items,” said Dave Krepcho, President & CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. “Generous product donations like this one from Smithfield, Winn-Dixie, and Richard Petty Motorsports will help fill a need for thousands of seniors, kids, and others who are struggling.”

 

“Giving back to the community has been part of Winn-Dixie’s culture for more than 80 years, and we are proud of our longstanding partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida,” said Winn-Dixie District Director Steve Wren. “It’s a pleasure to help facilitate this donation because no societal issue is more aligned with Winn-Dixie’s core business nor touches the hearts of our customers more than hunger.”

 

“The No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports team is honored to participate in this donation with our sponsor, Smithfield,” said No. 43 team owner Richard Petty. “So many race fans are loyal customers of Smithfield, and shop at Winn-Dixie, so it’s great to see them giving back to communities that support them throughout the year.”

 

“Smithfield has made more than 180 donations to food banks, after-school nutrition programs, and natural-disaster relief across the country under the company’s Helping Hungry Homes program,” said Dennis Pittman, Smithfield Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. “We’re proud to make this substantial donation alongside Winn-Dixie and Richard Petty Motorsports to help alleviate

hunger in Central Florida.”

 

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. In January 2008, Smithfield established their Helping Hungry Homes® initiatives to help ensure that American families in need do not go hungry.

 

RPM PR