Nathan's Famous Celebrates Play with Donation to Gene Slay's Boys' Club in St. Louis, MO

Nathan's Famous brought a taste of Coney Island to Gene Slay's Boys' Club in St. Louis, Mo., on Wednesday as part of its Ready. Set. PLAY. initiative, a partnership created in 2014 with KaBOOM!. Ready. Set. PLAY. celebrates play and the local leaders who are making active play possible in communities across the nation.

Those involved with Gene Slay's Boys' Club were treated to a Coney Island-themed afternoon. Nathan's Famous brought its mobile tour to St. Louis where children enjoyed carnival games such as pop-a-shot and skee-ball, a miniature three-horse carousel, a Zoltar Fortune Teller coupon machine and, most of all, Nathan's Famous Premium Beef Hot Dogs.

Commemorating the achievements of Gene Slay's Boys' Club, Nathan's Famous surprised Prescott W. Benson, Executive Director, with a Schnucks Supermarkets gift card worth $1,000 towards the purchase of groceries, courtesy of Nathan's Famous.

"When you're only expecting Nathan's Famous' mobile tour and its games for the kids, you are somewhat speechless when presented with a $1,000 gift card for the purchase of groceries at Schnucks Supermarkets on behalf of Nathan's Famous," said Benson. "This will have an immediate impact on offsetting the costs associated with our programs here in St. Louis."

"Nathan's Famous understands the importance of balanced diets and active play in the development of our youth and Gene Slay's Boys' Club puts forth an incredible amount of work to keep the youth of St. Louis active, 365 days a year," said Mike Paribello, Sr. Director of Marketing, Nathan's Famous. "Nathan's Famous is extremely proud of our partnerships with KaBOOM! and the impact it has not only on local communities, but the individual kids who benefit from these builds."

Gene Slay's Boys' Club of St. Louis has and continues to improve the lives of at-risk, marginalized, and underserved youth by equipping them with the skills they need to make good choices and become successful adults.

KaBOOM! partnered with Gene Slay's Boys' Club last summer to build its playground.

Nathan's Famous was founded almost 100 years ago in Coney Island, a popular New York City amusement and leisure destination. Nathan's Famous prides itself on its great quality, unmistakable taste, and a passion for family fun and community support.

Nathan's Famous is a licensed brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Nathan's Famous
Nathan's is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and nine foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. Nathan's was ranked #55 on the Forbes list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. Last year, over 480 million Nathan's Famous hot dogs were sold. For additional information about Nathan's please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.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, Carandoand 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, visitwww.smithfieldfoods.comandwww.smithfieldcommitments.com.

About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids particularly those growing up in poverty in America the childhood they deserve filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,300 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 8.1 million kids. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives. To learn why #playmatters: visit kaboom.orgor join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.

SOURCE Nathan's Famous