Pilgrim's to Invest in Local Schools and Outdoor Fitness Center with Remaining Hometown Strong Funds
In August, Pilgrim’s announced a $380,000 investment in Marshville, N.C., to support the community’s future through the company’s Hometown Strong program. Pilgrim’s worked with local leaders to determine where the funds could best help meet immediate and longer-term community needs.
Today, the company announced it is contributing $50,000 to the Town of Marshville to build an outdoor fitness area that will be free for the community. The outdoor fitness center will be linked to the Carolina Thread Trail and is expected to be complete in March 2021.
Additionally, Pilgrim’s is donating $35,000 to Marshville Elementary School to support access to technology tools and digital learning, including Interactive Smart Board panels for classrooms to improve digital learning capabilities.
Lastly, the company is contributing $35,000 to East Union Middle School to support access to technology tools and digital learning, including portable monitors for teachers and access to Sora, an online digital library that provides students access to audio and e-books from school or home.
“We are excited to announce these important investments that we believe will provide critical support to our local schools and improve the quality of life in Marshville,” said Micah Abernathy, Pilgrim’s Marshville Complex Manager. “The fitness center will also allow community members to enjoy a new outdoor recreation area. We are grateful for our partners in bringing these projects to fruition.”
“The Town of Marshville is excited to partner with Pilgrim’s in bringing this outdoor fitness center to our citizens,” said Franklin Deese, Marshville town manager. “We believe that this fitness center will encourage more of our citizens to exercise and lead to a happier, healthier, and more productive community. There is a great need for these types of public/private partnerships in this part of the County, and we applaud Pilgrim’s for stepping up to the plate and taking a proactive position in helping the students and citizens in Eastern Union County.” In August, the company announced a $250,000 partnership with the Anson County school district to provide digital learning capabilities – 500 laptops and hotspots – for school kids in need to help ensure resources were available for remote online and digital learning.
The Pilgrim’s Marshville production facility employs nearly 800 people with an annual payroll of more than $28 million. The facility supports 150 growers, paying them more than $17 million per year for their livestock. Consistent with its long-term commitment to the local economy, Pilgrim’s Marshville has invested nearly than $35 million in capital improvements over the last six years.
Pilgrim’s anchors dozens of rural communities – operating more than 30 meat poultry and prepared foods plants 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.