In celebration of National Hospital Week, and to thank all of the health care workers for their service throughout the pandemic, Smithfield Foods organized a luncheon Thursday at UNC Lenoir Health Care.

“We are here today to honor the health care heroes that have been such a tremendous service throughout this pandemic by showing them our gratitude from Smithfield and our employees which have also been essential, by serving up a little food,” said Steve Evans, the Director of Community Development with Smithfield Foods.

Smithfield Foods is dedicated to producing “Good food. Responsibly.” Smithfield Foods is the largest pork provider in the US. They employ 10,000-11,000 people in North Carolina.

“We want to thank Smithfield Foods for their generosity and sharing their time and talents and great pork to the employees of UNC Lenoir Hospital,” said Robert Enders, CEO of UNC Lenoir Health Care.

Throughout the pandemic, health care workers have been on the front line in the fight against COVID-19, while still treating patients for reasons unrelated to the pandemic.

“It’s pretty simple. Thank you for the diligence. Thank you for the commitment,” said Evens.

The appreciation of the employees at UNC Lenoir was shared by Enders. “We’re celebrating Hospital Week and we don’t want to forget to recognize and thank all of our valuable employees here at UNC Lenoir for the excellent care that they are providing to our patients every day.”

Mayor Don Hardy, also an employee of the hospital, presented the Golden Key to the City to UNC Health Care. Enders and Chairman of the Board of Directors Carl Younger received the key on behalf of the hospital.

“I would like to thank UNC Health Care Lenoir for continuously providing exceptional care to our Kinstonian’s 24/7 a day while going above and beyond to help our communities navigate through this COVID-19 health pandemic,” said Hardy.