Eckrich and Marc's Pay Tribute to a Cleveland Military Family During Popular Festival

Eckrich, the makers of naturally hardwood smoked sausage and savory deli meats, and Marc's grocery stores made the Great American Rib Cook-Off and Music Festival very special for one military family. On Saturday, Ohio Army National Guard soldier Justin Milam and wife and two children were guests of Eckrich at the popular festival and were honored on the main stage with a $1,000 gift card toward the purchase of groceries at Marc's, courtesy of Eckrich.

Milam and his family were honored by Eckrich and Marc's employee and military veteran, Ray Benisek. The presentation was a surprise to the family on behalf of Eckrich and is part of the ongoing Eckrich campaign to honor, thank and support military families through its partnership with Operation Homefront, company officials say.

Operation Homefront provides emergency financial assistance to military families as well as wide array of family support programs, and transitional and permanent housing.

Eckrich, in its fourth year of partnership with Operation Homefront, has already donated more than $750,000 to the charity since 2012, officials add; 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, Marc's is a great supporter of our military families," says Chuck Gitkin, senior vice president, marketing, Smithfield Foods. "We are dedicated to honoring and supporting military families across the country, and it's great to have partners that are committed to that as well. We are honored to be able to show our appreciation to the Milam family with $1,000 of free groceries."