United Methodist Family Services Honored by Nathan's Famous, MARTIN'S and NASCAR Driver Aric Almirola

LISLE, Ill., April 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to Nathan's Famous, the world famous hot dog company, United Methodist Family Services of Richmond, VA, was celebrated for being leaders in the community and making active play possible by NASCAR driver Aric Almirola on Saturday before the race at Richmond International Raceway.

As part of its Ready. Set. PLAY. initiative with national non-profit KaBOOM!, Almirola surprised United Methodist Family Services representatives with a $1,000 MARTIN'S Food Markets gift card towards the purchase of free groceries, courtesy of Nathan's Famous.

Guests from United Methodist Family Services were greeted at the race track by the Richard Petty Motorsports team and escorted to the garage area to meet the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winner. Almirola then surprised the group with the $1,000 gift card. Those in attendance will return to the famed race track tomorrow to watch Almirola race in the Toyota Owners 400.

The Ready. Set. PLAY. initiative is a partnership created in 2014 by Nathan's Famous with KaBOOM!. Ready. Set. PLAY. celebrates play and the local leaders who are making active play possible in communities across the nation.

"Nathan's Famous is all about fun, family and community," said Mike Paribello, Sr. Director of Marketing, Nathan's Famous. "We are really proud of our Ready. Set. PLAY. partnership with KaBOOM! and are thrilled to champion active play by donating $1,000 of free groceries at MARTIN's to the United Methodist Family Services in Richmond."

"I'm proud to work with Nathan's Famous to encourage children to be active and thank the leaders in the community who ensure kids have a place to do just that," said Almirola. "I have two children of my own and I know how important it is to keep them active while providing a well-balanced diet. This is a great way for Nathan's to have an immediate impact on organizations like the United Methodist Family Services."

KaBOOM! worked with United Methodist Family Services for a playground build in 2013.

Nathan's Famous was founded almost 100 years ago in Coney Island, a popular New York City amusement and leisure destination.  Nathan's – This is the Original – with great quality, unmistakable taste, and a passion for family fun and community support.

Nathan's Famous is a licensed brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Nathan's FamousNathan's is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and nine foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. Nathan's was ranked #55 on the Forbes list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. Last year, over 480 million Nathan's Famous hot dogs were sold. For additional information about Nathan's please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com.

About Smithfield FoodsSmithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, Gwaltney®, John Morrell®, Kretschmar®, Curly's®, Carando®, Margherita®, and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental, and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.

About KaBOOM!KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,000 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 7.4 million children. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy lives and communities. To learn why #playmatters: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.

About Richard Petty MotorsportsA performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneur Andrew Murstein, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Aric Almirola pilots the famous No. 43 Ford Fusion with primary partners Smithfield Foods, U.S. Air Force, STP, Strike Ten Entertainment and Fresh From Florida, and Sam Hornish, Jr. drives the No. 9 machine with primary partner Twisted Tea. In addition, Dakoda Armstrong wheels the No. 43 WinField Ford Mustang full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The team is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C.

About MARTIN'S Food MarketsHeadquartered in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, GIANT/MARTIN'S operates nearly 200 grocery stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, under the names of GIANT Food Stores and MARTIN'S Food Markets. GIANT/MARTIN'S employs more than 33,000 associates. Founded in 1923, GIANT and MARTIN'S have a long-standing commitment to eradicate hunger and improve the quality of life for children in addition to working with hundreds of local organizations annually.  The company was recognized for its leadership in the fight against hunger with the Golden Grocer Award by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition, GIANT/MARTIN'S is one of the top ten fund-raisers in the country for local Children's Miracle Network hospitals. GIANT and MARTIN'S are Ahold companies. For more information visit GIANT or MARTIN'S websites. Find GIANT and MARTIN'S on Facebook and on Twitter @GiantFoodStores or @MartinsFoodMkts.

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SOURCE Nathan's Famous