Charitable Giving & Community Involvement

Pilgrim's has a long history of supporting the local communities where our consumers and employees live and work. We understand the responsibility that comes with being a major employer in rural America and we work hard to contribute to the fabric and well-being of these communities.

Pilgrim's supports a wide variety of non-profit organizations in the local communities where we have operations. These non-profits include hundreds of organizations of every size, from large national groups like the United Way, American Cancer Society and March of Dimes, to small local organizations such as the Titus Regional Medical Center in Mt. Pleasant, Texas.

Over the years we have been active supporters of hunger relief efforts, donating millions of pounds of chicken to food banks and hunger relief organizations throughout the United States. For example, our donation of more than 100,000 pounds of chicken to the East Texas Food Bank several years ago was the single largest donation in the food bank's history, helping to feed families and needy children in a 26-county area. Pilgrim's has been a past sponsor of the food bank's summer food service program, feeding thousands of school-aged children.

We also provide financial support to numerous public schools, colleges and universities across the country as part of our effort to encourage our employees to pursue continuing education.

Pilgrim's and our employees are also strong believers in the power of the United Way. Last year our employees raised money to support United Way agencies and volunteered to help in many "Day of Caring" projects in their local communities. Most of our company locations have formed Company and Community Pride (CCP) teams, composed of Pilgrim's employees who volunteer in their local communities. These CCP teams also pitch in to help employees and their families who are facing difficult life circumstances by raising money and volunteering their time.

Among a few examples:

• Employees at our operations in Mayfield, KY, participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life fundraiser each year. They also raise $10,000 every year to donate to the local school system's Christmas toy drive. Employees volunteer for March of Dimes, St. Jude's Children's Hospital and the local "Telethon of Stars."
• Our plant in Nacogdoches, TX, is the top local contributor to United Way and sponsors the United Way Turkey Trot 5K race at Thanksgiving. Participation in Relay for Life includes sponsoring a fishing tournament. They also sponsor a team in the March of Dimes walk.
• In Natchitoches, LA, our team members joined with the local Kiwanis club to "Make A Smile Happen," raising money and collecting toys for children at Christmas.
• Team members at our complex in Sanford, SC, pulled together to raise $10,000 for three employees who had lost everything in a tornado.
• Our complex in Ellijay, GA, maintains a year-round "coat closet" to provide warm clothing to those in need. Employees also conduct annual blood drives and team up with the Lion's Club at Christmas to provide gifts to needy children.
• For the past 18 years, our complex in DeQueen, AR, has teamed up with Cossatot Community College – University of Arkansas to provide adult education to the local community.