In a commendable display of community support, Smithfield Foods has once again leveraged the spirited rivalry between the University of Virginia (UVA) and Virginia Tech to combat food insecurity on their campuses. During the recent Smithfield Commonwealth Clash basketball games—held on January 17 at UVA and February 19 at Virginia Tech—fans were encouraged to donate nonperishable food items to benefit the universities’ respective food pantries.
The initiative saw Virginia Tech fans leading the charge, contributing nearly 700 pounds of food during their home game. Collectively, the two events amassed over 1,200 pounds of food donations. Complementing these efforts, Smithfield Foods generously donated $5,000 to each institution’s pantry: the UVA Community Food Pantry and The Market of Virginia Tech.
Jessica Scarlett, brand manager for Smithfield, emphasized the company’s dedication to addressing hunger: “Smithfield is a proud ambassador for both Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash, and helping to fight food insecurity on each campus is an important initiative as a food brand.”
This collaboration is part of Smithfield’s broader commitment to supporting communities in its home state. Earlier in the academic year, the company donated 60,000 pounds of protein—equating to more than 240,000 servings—to Feeding Southwest Virginia and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank during football season.
Leaders from both universities expressed gratitude for Smithfield’s contributions. Isabelle Largen of The Market at Virginia Tech noted, “The support Smithfield has provided for The Market at Virginia Tech is remarkable.” Similarly, Lydia Stoner, executive director at the UVA Community Food Pantry, highlighted that “Smithfield’s support for our campus community with the $5,000 donation… showcases the commitment to our schools within the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
The UVA Community Food Pantry, a student-run initiative, aims to alleviate financial hardships by providing essential food and hygiene items to students and staff. The Market of Virginia Tech offers weekly groceries, including produce, proteins, and dairy products, to students experiencing food insecurity—a program bolstered by a $1.5 million donation from alumni Hema and Mehul Sanghani.
Reflecting on the success of these initiatives, Scarlett added, “We are proud of all these students and fans have done to support each campus and community. It has been such a privilege to sponsor these efforts. We can’t wait to do it all again next academic year!”
Smithfield Foods, headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, is a global food company with a robust portfolio of high-quality meats. The company’s ongoing efforts to address food insecurity underscore its commitment to feeding communities in need.
