Smithfield Commonwealth Clash marks its fourth year of food donations for Virginia communities with over 250,000 servings of protein
Donations headed to local food banks ahead of historic UVA vs. VT football game at Lane Stadium
Smithfield® marked the upcoming Commonwealth Clash football game between the University of Virginia (UVA) and Virginia Tech (VT) with a substantial food donation to support Virginia communities. As the presenting sponsor of the Commonwealth Clash, and as a part of Smithfield's Helping Hungry Homes® initiative, two trucks were packed and dispatched from the company's headquarters with food donations totalling more than 60,000 pounds of protein – one heading to Blue Ridge Area Food Bank near Charlottesville, Virginia, and the other to Feeding Southwest Virginia near Blacksburg, Virginia. These donations will benefit the communities in both areas, helping provide resources to those in need ahead of the Clash game.
"The Commonwealth Clash is about more than just sports," remarked Jonathan Toms, senior community development manager for Smithfield Foods. "It's an opportunity for us to come together as a community and lend support to those who need it most. We're proud to contribute to local food banks and make an impact in these communities."
The event, held at Smithfield's facility, brought together representatives of UVA and VT and the food banks, fostering both community spirit and a shared purpose of service. By encouraging fans of both schools to rally behind this cause, Smithfield highlighted the deeper meaning of the Commonwealth Clash – a rivalry that dates back more than 125 years.
The football game will take place at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia, on Nov 30. Smithfield urges fans of both teams to consider donating to their local food banks to further this collective effort.
"To once again be a part of the community-supported initiative surrounding the Commonwealth Clash, the ones who ultimately win are the residents of southwest Virginia," said Pamela Irvine, president and CEO for Feeding Southwest Virginia. "We are thankful for the support leading up to the holidays to provide much-needed centre-of-the-plate protein."
"Smithfield truly understands the impact that this generous donation will provide to the residents of our community," said Michael McKee, CEO of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. "We are grateful for their continued support to alleviate hunger in our area."
"Virginia Tech Athletics is honoured to team up with Smithfield and support their impactful Helping Hungry Homes initiative," said Brad Wurthman, Executive Associate Athletic Director/External Affairs and Advancement for Virginia Tech. "As a longtime partner of the Hokies and the presenting sponsor of the Commonwealth Clash, Smithfield demonstrates their deep commitment to making a difference in our communities. Their generous food donation ahead of the Clash is a meaningful way to support Virginia families and underscores the power of collaboration in addressing food insecurity. We're proud to join Smithfield in their efforts to help our neighbours in need and to bring positive change to communities across the Commonwealth."
"Virginia Tech Athletics appreciates the continued partnership and commitment from Smithfield to our surrounding communities as well as our athletics department. Their support is vital to helping those in need, and we look forward to seeing the growing impact Smithfield makes each year," Tyler Jones, deputy athletics director for Virginia Tech.
About Smithfield
Smithfield® isn't only a leading provider of high-quality pork products. We're a leading provider of the most important part of any meal: premium, high-quality meat. And we take our meat duties seriously. After all, the rest of the meal is just a side dish. Smithfield products were first introduced in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia, by people who lived for the love of meat. Today, the Smithfield brand stands for craftsmanship, authenticity, and pure passion as we continue to give meat-lovers across the country the deliciousness they crave: our classic bacon, slow-smoked holiday hams, hand-trimmed ribs, marinated fresh pork, smoked meats, and even more meaty magic. All Smithfield products not only meet our customers' high flavour standards but also meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. All while being produced right here in the USA. Smithfield® is a brand of Smithfield Foods, Inc.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world.
About the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organisation serving Western and Central Virginia. Founded in 1981, the Food Bank serves 25 counties and 8 cities through distribution centres in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Winchester, and its headquarters in Verona. Each month, the Food Bank supports an average of 148,200 guest visits, reaching record numbers of Virginians through a network of nearly 400 community partners—food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and program sites. As a partner food bank of Feeding America®, the nation's largest hunger-relief organisation, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank pledges to continue innovating and adapting to secure, store, and distribute more food to more individuals, families, children, and seniors experiencing hunger.
About Feeding Southwest Virginia Food Bank
Feeding Southwest Virginia is a partner of Feeding America. For the last four decades, the Food Bank's ultimate mission has been to nourish neighbours, engage community partners, and develop solutions to address food insecurity. The primary function of the Food Bank is to secure and distribute large quantities of food for our neighbours. Approximately $34 million worth of food and grocery related products are channelled annually through more than 400 food pantries and meal programs throughout our 26-county and nine-city service region.
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