Food is being provided by Hormel Foods Corporation, to survivors of a devastating earthquake that struck Taiwan.

Sunday, October 17, 1999

Food is being provided by Hormel Foods Corporation, to survivors of a devastating earthquake that struck Taiwan.

Just like they have done so many times before, the Austin based multinational meat and food processor is helping those in greatest need.

Hormel Foods, in cooperation with Northwest Airlines, has shipped more than 6,000 pounds of seven-ounce SPAM luncheon meat and 7.5-ounce Dinty Moore beef stew for homeless residents in the city of Tai-an affected by the earthquake Sept. 21.

The food is also being provided to construction workers who are helping rebuild this community of approximately 6.5 million people. Located on the western edge of Taiwan, the city is about 60 miles southwest of the nation’s capital of Taipei and has some of the most important tourist attractions in the area.

Distribution of the 468 cases of Hormel Foods canned food products was being coordinated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan. No refrigeration is required for the products which provides for convenient distribution to victims throughout the city.

The earthquake, which registered 7.6 on the Richter scale, destroyed more than 6,000 housing units on Taiwan and resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people.

Approximately 60 percent of the island’s more than 22 million residents were without power due to the quake.

"We are pleased to provide relief to many of the people in this nation affected by the disaster," said Allan Krejci, director of public relations for Hormel Foods. "Our contribution should give some comfort to those involved in the massive cleanup efforts."

Hormel Foods has a history of providing aid to various countries around the world affected by disasters.

In October 1998, food was donated to residents of the Dominican Republic after Hurricane Georges struck this nation and, in December 1997, SPAM luncheon meat and Hormel chili were distributed on Guam following a typhoon.

(SPAM and Dinty Moore Beef Stew are registered trademarks of Hormel Foods Corporation.)