Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) have placed a friendly “wager” on the outcome of the football game between the University of Utah Utes and the Oregon Ducks on Saturday, November 20, 2021. The Senators have arranged for food producers in their respective states to make sizable donations to food banks in the state of their “opponent” pending the outcome of the game.*
Ahead of Saturday’s game, Sen. Lee will be joined by University of Utah President Taylor Randall and representatives from Utah Food Bank as Smithfield Foods. makes an initial donation of 40,000 pounds of protein to feed Utah families ahead of the holiday season. This considerable donation will provide more than 160,000 servings of protein, a staple of a well-balanced meal, to support individuals experiencing hunger across the state of Utah.
Following the game, Smithfield has committed to making an additional 40,000 pound donation to Oregon Food Bank and Food For Lane County. On behalf of Senator Wyden, Farmers Ending Hunger and Tillamook County Creamery Association have committed to donating a combined 35,000 pounds of food to Utah Food Bank.
About Smithfield Foods
Headquartered in Smithfield, VA since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. Our 63,000 team members are dedicated to producing “Good food. Responsibly.®” and have made Smithfield one of the world’s leading vertically integrated protein companies. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including our industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30 percent across our entire U.S. value chain by 2030. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. 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.
About Utah Food Bank
Founded in 1904, Utah Food Bank has operated under various names but remains true to its mission of Fighting Hunger Statewide by providing food to a statewide network of 216 emergency food pantries and agencies. Last fiscal year, Utah Food Bank distributed 70.2 million pounds of food and goods, the equivalent of approximately 58.5 million meals, to families and individuals in need. For more information about Utah Food Bank, visit http://www.utahfoodbank.org.
*If you’ve scrolled this far, you now know that ALL donations will be made regardless of the actual outcome of the game. That’s 135,000 pounds of food going to those in need at this crucial time of year!
