Six-Year-Old Throws Out First Pitch at Cardinals Game Thanks to Make-A-Wish®, Kretschmar and SHOP 'N SAVE®

ST. LOUIS, Mo., June 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Zac, a six-year old boy battling Leukemia, made his major league debut today. The young sports enthusiast's wish came true when he threw out the first pitch at the St. Louis Cardinals' afternoon game versus the Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium. His call up to the big leagues was made possible through an association between Make-A-Wish®, Kretschmar® Premium Deli Meats and Shop 'n Save^®.

Zac is a diehard Cardinals fan and is no stranger to Busch Stadium. He's attended several games,  always as a fan, but that all changed today. Make-A-Wish granted Zac the opportunity to take part in the team activities. He watched batting practice from the field with the team and threw out the first pitch of the game.

"Wishes give hope, strength and joy to children when they need it the most," said LuAnn Bott, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Missouri.  "Zac's wish to throw out the first pitch at the Cardinals game is a priceless experience and one to remember for a lifetime. We're thankful for our national alliance with Kretschmar which not only makes wishes come true across the country, but especially here in the St. Louis area."  

The wish was granted as part of a relationship that Make-A-Wish and Kretschmar established in 2012. Kretschmar has donated $105,000 annually to Make-A-Wish and is helping grant three specific wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses, including Zac's, in 2014. To help make Zac's wish day extra-special, Kretschmar and Shop 'n Save hosted a promotion to provide additional support for his wish. The store sold hero sandwiches May 26-June 22 named "Zac's Homerun Sub", along with four deli salads.  Fifty cents from each sandwich and one dollar from each hero/salad combo were donated to Make-A-Wish Missouri. The Missouri community rallied together and provided enough support to enhance Zac's wish with a party bus to take his family to the game and Cardinals jerseys to wear at the stadium.

"Everyone at Kretschmar is thrilled to help grant Zac's wish," said Mike Sargent, brand manager for Kretschmar. "We're very grateful to Shop 'n Save for partnering with us and all of the hard work they put forth to make this day possible. The local community's response to this wish has been overwhelming. It's been amazing to see them get behind it and support it like they have. Fortunately we raised enough money from the promotion to add some special elements to enhance Zac's wish and support future wishes in the local area. To see his face light up when he put on his jersey on and met the players, it made everyone's effort worthwhile. We are very thankful for Make-A-Wish for allowing us to take part in today."

Kretschmar is a part of the John Morrell Food Group, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, Inc. For more information about Kretschmar Deli please visit www.kretschmardeli.com.

About John Morrell Food Group 
With over a century and a half of experience, John Morrell Food Group brands have become respected and well known for providing premium-quality meat products to families across the United States. With products ranging from lunchmeat and franks to smoked sausage, bacon and pepperoni, the John Morrell Food Group is an important part of consumers' mealtimes. The John Morrell Food Group offers several national and regional brands including Armour®, Eckrich®, John Morrell®, Curly's®, Patrick Cudahy®, Carando®, Healthy Ones®, Margherita®, Kretschmar® and LunchMakers®.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $14 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®, Gwaltney®, John Morrell®, Kretschmar®, Curly's®, Carando®, Margherita®, 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 Kretschmar
Kretschmar Premium Deli Meats & Cheeses has meant quality since 1883.  Our hams are made with a unique hardwood smoking process.  Kretschmar poultry and beef are hand-trimmed using the finest cuts.  Our full line of Off-The-Bone deli meats are delicately sliced from the leanest, most tender cuts. And our premium Wisconsin cheeses repeatedly win in competitions world-wide. Try the Legendary Taste of Kretschmar today.

For great recipes and more, like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kretschmardeli) or our website at www.kretschmardeli.com.

About Shop 'n Save^®
Shop 'n Save^®, a wholly owned subsidiary of SUPERVALU INC., has been serving the greater St. Louis, Mo., Springfield, Ill., and Jerseyville, Ill., areas since 1979. Known for its low prices, Shop 'n Save also offers its customers enhanced specialty departments, including bakery, deli, seafood and pharmacy. For additional information, visit our website at www.shopnsave.com.

About Make-A-Wish Missouri
Since its inception in 1983, Make-A-Wish® Missouri has granted more than 5,000 wishes for children battling life-threatening medical conditions. We grant wishes for the children living in the 115 counties of Missouri and the 6 counties of Kansas that are part of the metro Kansas City community. With the support of a dedicated staff and generous volunteers and donors, Make-A-Wish® Missouri has brought joy into the lives of thousands of children and families in our Missouri community through our wish granting work.

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