Military Family from Boise, Idaho Honored by Eckrich, Boise State Head Football Coach Bryan Harsin and Country Music Star Randy Houser

Military Family from Boise, Idaho Honored by Eckrich, Boise State Head Football Coach Bryan Harsin and Country Music Star Randy Houser

Chart-Topping Artist Houser Surprised Woods Family with Free Groceries for One Year

LISLE, Ill., May 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to Eckrich, the makers of naturally hardwood smoked sausage and savory deli meats, Army veteran Corporal Aaron Woods and his family were honored by chart-topping, platinum-selling country music star Randy Houser on Thursday night at his performance at Taco Bell Pavilion in Boise, Idaho, as part of Luke Bryan's Kick The Dust Up Tour.

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Woods and his family were greeted by Houser's management before the show and escorted backstage to meet the "We Went" singer, who surprised the family with free groceries for one year at Albertsons, courtesy of Eckrich. Houser then took the stage and wowed the crowd with his signature powerhouse vocals and a hit-filled set that included the smash hits "How Country Feels," "Runnin' Outta Moonlight," "Goodnight Kiss" and "Like A Cowboy," as well as Houser's brand new single from a forthcoming album, "We Went."

The gift of groceries and the opportunity to meet one of country music's most popular entertainers are part of the commitment by Eckrich to honor, thank and support military families through its partnership with Operation Homefront, a national non-profit that provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors. Woods received a mortgage-free home from the organization as part of its Homes on the Homefront program in 2013.

Beginning last year, Houser has been helping Eckrich pay tribute to military families by hosting and honoring them at his concerts. Houser has long supported the military and their families, and has performed for service members stationed in Iraq and most recently at an Operation Homefront Village in Gaithersburg, Md. The Village program affords transitioning military service members and their families an opportunity to live in rent-free fully furnished apartments while they wait for their veteran benefits to commence.

"Any time I can spend some of my time with a military family is special for me," commented Houser. "These families have sacrificed so much so I can go out and perform and do what I love. It was great to meet the Woods family, hear their story and have them enjoy the concert courtesy of my partner, Eckrich."

Woods enlisted in 2005 and was honorably discharged in 2012. During that time he served in a full combat role in Afghanistan for 16 months. Upon returning home, Woods has focused on pursuing his education and is scheduled to earn his Bachelor's degree this month from Boise State University. After graduation, he'll enjoy some time with his wife Jenny, his two-year-old daughter and seven-month old son, before beginning a graduate program to earn his Master's degree. Woods has been able to pursue advanced education and a brighter future for him and his family without the weight of a monthly mortgage payment, thanks to his mortgage-free home from Operation Homefront.

Earlier on Thursday, Woods was surprised by Eckrich and Albertsons representatives with tickets and backstage passes to the concert, as well as a visit from Boise State University head football coach Bryan Harsin. Harsin presented Woods with a personalized football jersey and tickets to an upcoming Boise State Broncos football game.

"Today has been an amazing day," said Aaron Woods after the surprise at the Houser concert, "Our family can't thank Eckrich, Albertsons, Coach Harsin, Randy Houser and Operation Homefront enough. They don't know how much this means to our family and how it helps us. Everyone has been incredible today and our hearts are filled with joy."

Now in its fourth year of partnership with Operation Homefront, Eckrich has donated more than $750,000 to the charity. Eckrich is again donating up to $250,000 this year through the contribution of five cents from each purchase of specially marked products from May 1 through July 4. By the end of this year's fundraising period, the expected total donation will surpass $1 million.

"Like Eckrich, Randy is a great supporter of our military families," said Chuck Gitkin, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Smithfield Foods. "We are thankful for their service and are honored to surprise them with an exciting experience backstage with Randy Houser and free groceries for one year."

For more information about Eckrich please visit www.facebook.com/EckrichMeats.

About Eckrich
Founded by Peter Eckrich in 1894, Eckrich has a rich heritage starting from a small meat market in Fort Wayne, Ind. Through it all, Eckrich meats have been recognized for their great taste and supreme quality, craftsmanship, care and pride. For more information, visit www.eckrich.com.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Nathan's Famous®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Carando® and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.

About Randy Houser
With an inimitable voice the New York Times describes as "wholly different, thicker and more throbbing, a caldron bubbling over," Randy Houser racked up three consecutive No. 1 hits and more than three million in singles sales to date with his Stoney Creek Records album, How Country Feels. He topped the charts with the title track, "Runnin' Outta Moonlight" and "Goodnight Kiss" (also his first No. 1 as a songwriter) and earned critical acclaim for his powerful delivery of the Top 5 smash, "Like A Cowboy." Houser's new single, "We Went," will be available at digital retailers on May 18 with a new album forthcoming. He is currently touring with Luke Bryan on the Kick The Dust Up Tour. For more information, visit www.RandyHouser.com

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Eckrich

CONTACT: Jeff Dennison, Breaking Limits for Eckrich, Direct: 704-766-9061, Cell: 704-252-3356, E-Mail: jdennison@breakinglimits.net; Media Contact for Randy Houser, Ebie McFarland / Stephanie Rew, Essential Broadcast Media, Direct: 615-327-3259, E-Mail: ebie@ebmediapr.com / stephanie@ebmediapr.com

Web Site: http://www.eckrich.com


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