The National Pork Producers Council-led grassroots program challenges pork producers and communities around the country to support local food banks and those in need. Powered by the #GiveAHam hashtag on social media, the program encourages groups and individuals to challenge each other to donate a ham, pork loin, ground pork or other pork product to the local food pantry, school food pantries or any outlet that helps families with food security. 

The Virginia Pork Council joined many others in participating in the #GiveAHam initiative, including Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matt Lohr; VDACS Commissioner Joe Guthrie; Chief Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Parker Slaybaugh; VA Pork Council President Jessica Cunningham; and NPPC VPC Board Member and Smithfield Hog Production veterinarian Dr. Jeremy Pittman; Cliff Williamson, Executive Director of Virginia Agribusiness Council, and Dr. Robert Corley III, Interim Dean & Vice-Provost for Academic & Student Affairs, VSU.

Thanks to all participants and challengers, families in need of food security will be provided with pork products across the Commonwealth by supporting Feed More, Inc., Feeding Southwest Virginia, Central Virginia Food Bank, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, ReWork Richmond, Mission Ministries of Waverly, VA, and Isle of Wight Christian Outreach Program.