Pilgrim’s Gives Update on $735,000 Investment in Nacogdoches

A few days after this past Christmas, I posted a story about how Pilgrim's Nacogdoches was contributing nearly three-quarters of a million dollars to community needs within the City of Nacogdoches.  This is all part of the 'Hometown Strong' initiative in which $20 million is being invested into the communities which Pilgrim’s serves.  This is all part of a $100 million nationwide contribution from JBS USA.

Pilgrim’s is now providing an update on how its Hometown Strong funds of $735,000 are being invested in Nacogdoches, Texas, to support the community’s future. Officials with Pilgrim's have been working closely with local leaders to identify where the funds can best help meet immediate and longer-term community needs.

A total of $693,500 will fund necessary upgrades and improvements to the local SportsPlex allocated in two waves. The first wave of upgrades included restroom facilities, fencing and field netting, parking lot lighting and paving, and the installation of an electronic scoreboard. The second wave of funding will provide for additional improvements, including the paving of sidewalks, installation of a field drainage system and new soccer equipment.

“We are proud to use our Hometown Strong investment to help restore a valuable resource for our community,” said, Johnny Tubbs, Pilgrim’s Nacogdoches Head of Operations of Big Bird Debone West. “The SportsPlex will provide a safe, welcoming recreational space for young athletes, their families and out-of-town teams to enjoy for many years to come.”

“The City of Nacogdoches is extremely grateful for the support of Pilgrim’s. With the generous donation, we were able to add much needed improvements to the Pilgrim's SportsPlex fields, opening them up to more activities and more groups,” said Brian Bray, Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Nacogdoches. “There's nothing we love better than a local company supporting local programs.”

In addition, a donation of $31,500 will fully allocate remaining Hometown Strong funds to support local charities – Hope Food Pantry, Sacred Heart Food Pantry and Saks of Love – in their mission to feed, clothe and support community members in need.

The Pilgrim’s Nacogdoches production facility employs more than 1,500 people with an annual payroll of nearly $62 million. The facility supports 280 growers, paying them more than $36 million per year for their chickens.

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.

I would also like to thank Nacogdoches plant manager Luis Vallee for joining us on the Merrell in the Morning Show on KICKS 105 to shed more light on Hometown Strong and how it is benefitting the city of Nacogdoches.