Pilgrim’s to Provide $30,000 to Lufkin Schools as Part of Hometown Strong Initiative
In November 2020, Pilgrim’s announced a $685,000 investment in Lufkin, Texas, to support the community’s future through the company’s Hometown Strong program. Pilgrim’s has been working with local leaders to determine where the funds could best help meet immediate and longer-term community needs.
In partnership with Kurth Primary School and the Lufkin Independent School District, Pilgrim’s today announced it will provide $30,000 to purchase 25 picnic tables for outdoor eating areas to improve social distancing capabilities while at school, especially during lunch.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, I’m pleased that Pilgrim’s can help students stay safe at school by making it easier to social distance while getting some fresh air,” said Christian Dempsey, Pilgrim’s Lufkin complex manager. “This is an important investment in the health and safety of many of our Lufkin team members’ families and the greater community.”
In November 2020, Pilgrim’s contributed $612,030 to two additional projects. In partnership with the Salvation Army of Lufkin, Pilgrim’s invested $500,000 to upgrade and renovate the community gymnasium. Click here to read more about this project. Additionally, Pilgrim’s contributed $112,030 to provide the Boys and Girls Club of Deep East Texas with Chromebooks for online learning, vans to transport children from school to the club, large kitchen appliances that enable the center to offer cooking classes, as well as pool and gym updates. Click here to read more about this project.
"We are so thankful for this generous partnership with Pilgrim's,” said Dana Bickley, Kurth Primary School principal. “These picnic tables will give us the flexibility to utilize our outdoor space for teaching, learning and dining. Our students will benefit greatly from the ability to spread out safely around our beautiful property throughout their school day."
The Pilgrim’s Lufkin production facility employs more than 1,400 people with an annual payroll of nearly $56 million. The facility supports 322 growers, paying them more than $67 million per year for their livestock.
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 $50 million nationwide contribution from JBS USA. Visit hometownstrong.jbssa.com to learn more.