As healthcare workers across the country continue to face shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), Smithfield Foods Inc., headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, is supporting local communities by donating excess face shields to healthcare workers at nursing homes and local hospitals as part of its COVID-19 relief efforts.
“Smithfield remains committed to not only supporting and protecting our employees and customers, but to also supporting and protecting the communities where we live and work,” said Jonathan Toms, charitable initiatives manager for Smithfield Foods. “We are proud to donate these medical-grade face shields to local healthcare workers who are battling COVID-19 on the frontlines.”
Smithfield donated more than 115,000 face shields, which values at nearly $700,000. This donation adds to the previous donation of more than $30 million in cash and in-kind contributions previously announced as part of Smithfield’s COVID-19 response through the company’s signature hunger-relief initiative, Helping Hungry Homes.
In addition to relief for healthcare workers, Smithfield quickly implemented the use of temporary, disposable face shields throughout its facilities to protect employees from COVID-19.
The company has continued to improve safety measures and, as they became available, replaced the temporary face shields with permanent face shields that can be affixed to employees’ helmets.
To learn more about Smithfield’s commitment to employee safety in response to COVID-19, visit: smithfieldfoods.com/covid19ppe.
Smithfield Foods Inc. is an American food company with 40,000 U.S. employees. Smithfield’s portfolio of brands includes Smithfield, Eckrich and Nathan’s Famous, among others.
The company issued a statement after several facilities had to temporarily close due to COVID-19. Read story here.
