Pilgrim’s Announces Recipients of Hometown Strong Funding in Moorefield

Pilgrim’s is providing an update on how its Hometown Strong funds are being invested in Moorefield, W.V., to support the community’s future and help respond to needs resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

In November 2020, Pilgrim’s announced an initial $860,000 investment in the Moorefield community – a recent increase in funding brings the total community donation to $960,000. The company has worked closely with local leaders to identify where the funds can best help meet immediate and longer-term community needs in three key areas: food insecurity, community infrastructure and well-being and COVID-19 emergency response and relief efforts.

“We are proud of the diverse partnerships we’ve established through the Pilgrim’s Hometown Strong program,” said Allen Collins, Pilgrim’s Moorefield complex manager, fresh food service. “Our hope is that everyone in our community can benefit from these projects for many years to come.”

Pilgrim’s Moorefield has funded the below Hometown Strong projects to date:

• The City of Moorefield Parks and Recreation Department received $600,000 to fund the expansion of Moorefield Town Park, including the addition of three full-size basketball courts and a playground, the construction of new park restrooms and two picnic pavilions and the installation of a splash pad.
• Hardy County Schools received $109,750 to fund construction of an indoor recreation center.
• The Hardy County CPR & Training Center received $106,000 to upgrade 40 automatic external defibrillator (AED) devices in public areas and buildings, including county parks, golf courses and other public spaces.
• Teddy Bear Daycare received $100,000 toward the expansion of the childcare facility to include a second location in Hardy County.

“Our strong community partnership with Pilgrim's has allowed us to help the citizens and students in Moorefield in a way that we could not as individuals,” said Wade Armentrout, principal of Moorefield Elementary School. “This contribution for the recreation center will help us fulfill a need to provide health and wellness opportunities. The long-term benefits of this project demonstrate the greatness of our community and the commitment of Pilgrim's to invest in the future of our local families.”

“I am grateful to partner with Pilgrim’s in opening the new Moorefield daycare center,” said Debra Hendrickson, owner of Teddy Bear Daycare. “I have been providing childcare for 20 years, and I am excited to make these quality services available to the Hardy County community.”

The Pilgrim’s Moorefield facilities employ more than 1,700 people with an annual payroll of more than $64 million. The production facility supports 126 growers, paying them more than $24 million per year for their chickens.

“These investments in our region have the potential to enrich and even save lives,” said Randy Batson, Pilgrim’s Moorefield operations manager, prepared foods. “We are grateful to partner with these entities to make valuable resources available to the entire Moorefield community.”

Pilgrim’s anchors dozens of rural communities – operating more than 30 meat poultry and prepared foods facilities and employing 31,000-plus people in the United States. Nationally, the Hometown Strong initiative is a $20 million investment from Pilgrim’s, which is part of a $70 million nationwide contribution from JBS USA. Visit hometownstrong.jbssa.com to learn more.