SMITHFIELD, VA. — Smithfield Foods contributed $5,000 to both the University of Virginia (UVA) Community Food Pantry and the Market of Virginia Tech, as the two rival schools brought their competition off the court and into the campus community to fight food insecurity.

Since the 2014-2015 academic year, Smithfield Foods has partnered with UVA and Virginia Tech in the schools’ rivalry across all school-sponsored sports, leading to Smithfield becoming the presenting sponsor of the Commonwealth Clash in the 2021-2022 season.

For the second year, during the 2024-2025 season, the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash rivals took time to highlight the need for food security. At the Feb. 1 game at UVA and the Feb. 15 game at Virginia Tech, the institutions encouraged attendees to donate nonperishable food items to support their campus food pantries. Through these events, Smithfield made a total contribution of $10,000 to combat food insecurity.

Virginia Tech fans showed support for the initiative by providing nearly 350 lbs of canned goods in the friendly, unofficial Commonwealth Clash competition. In total, the schools collected over 500 lbs of food to support the food pantries.

“The Smithfield sponsorship of the Commonwealth Clash is special to Smithfield because just as both Virginia Tech and University of Virginia were founded and thrive in the Commonwealth, so does Smithfield,” said Jessica Scarlett, brand manager at Smithfield Foods. “Our roots run deep in Virginia, and we’re proud to celebrate two significant schools with this fun and friendly rivalry. These donations will provide much-needed hunger relief to these campus communities.”

Through Smithfield’s sponsorship, the company provides support for the communities surrounding UVA and Virginia Tech, donating 60,000 lbs of protein, which is over 250,000 servings, to Feeding Southwest Virginia and Blue Ridge Area Food Bank during football season.

“Smithfield donating $5,000 and hosting the food drive to benefit The Market at Virginia Tech again shows the brand’s true dedication to fighting food insecurity,” said Isabelle Largen, assistant director for food access initiatives for The Market at Virginia Tech. “With this contribution, we will be able to provide essentials to those who need it most, and the Commonwealth Clash is a great way to bring the community together.”

“We are so thankful to Smithfield for the support with the $5,000 donation and over 250 lbs of nonperishable goods collected to benefit the UVA Community Food Pantry,” said Eleanor Steiner, executive director at UVA Community Food Pantry. “The Commonwealth Clash continues to bring our two schools together for sports and community support.”

The UVA Community Food Pantry is a student-run initiative that aims to eliminate financial hardships UVA students and staff face when seeking access to food by providing essential food and hygiene items and services to a greater portion of the 23% of undergraduates struggling with food insecurity.