City of Monmouth, Smithfield Foods, Inc., United Way GWC, United Way Illinois, United Way Worldwide
Released by Smithfield Foods, Inc. in cooperation with United Way of Greater Warren County
Small rural communities thrive when local profit and nonprofit businesses work together. A sense of belonging for everyone comes when neighbors and friends commit to each other and the community in which they live. Communities focused on “all of us” are those that reach monumental success — even when challenges come their way.
Producing “Good food. Responsibly.®” and strengthening the communities where its employees live and work is only part of what Smithfield Foods brings to the people in Monmouth and the surrounding area. Smithfield’s guiding principles of responsibility, operational excellence and innovation define the way its employees work every day, and the company takes pride in doing business the right way by treating its employees well, treating its animals with respect and leading in sustainability. The Smithfield Monmouth plant leadership team also encourages generosity within the facility, extending to many worthy organizations in the area.
Each year, Smithfield provides tens of thousands of dollars in food and monetary donations to area nonprofits. This list includes ReCharge Teen Center; Special Olympics; Jamieson Community Center; River Bend Food Bank; Western Illinois Animal Rescue; Monmouth-Roseville, United, Abingdon, Aledo, and Galesburg school districts; Smithfield Trunk or Treat; Jamieson Community Center’s annual toy drive (serving over 400 families); Western Illinois University FFA, and United Way of Greater Warren County, where 100% of all funds raised are distributed directly to local agencies and programs supporting families in the region. These funds come from both the company and the incredible extent to which local employees are willing to give.
In 2023, Smithfield employees, with support from the company, set another annual record for United Way of Greater Warren County, raising $135,550. The organization’s executive director along with a team of supervisors serving as translators accepted employee donations for one week. Bruce Rundle, Monmouth plant manager said, “We have been strong supporters of United Way of Greater Warren County because we know how much they are doing to support our community.” Rundle and the team of supervisors that work on this campaign lead by example, donating to the campaign themselves and encouraging others to do the same.
During the campaign, United Way of Greater Warren County’s executive director talks honestly with employees–both local to Monmouth and from several other countries–about the efforts the organization makes to assist in their success and sense of community belonging. As a result, United Way of Greater Warren County works with local agencies and continues to develop new programs that enhance the wellbeing of the entire community, with a focus on providing a sense of trust, understanding and belonging to every individual living in our area.
At Smithfield’s Monmouth facility, employees take pride in sustainably feeding people around the world. The continued investment Smithfield Foods makes in Monmouth and the new businesses that come to the area due to Smithfield’s growth signal the thoughtful hard work and dedication of its employees. Understanding that giving to others helps everyone, Smithfield employees also take great pride in what they can do together monetarily for the Monmouth community. Smithfield Monmouth employees’ belief in working together and giving to others reflects the mission of Smithfield Foods “to produce good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet.” By focusing on “all of us,” Smithfield Monmouth is playing a major role in ensuring that the future is nothing but bright.
***Courtesy of the United Way of Greater Warren County***
