Hormel gave $6.8 million last year; Money given to hunger efforts part of the company program

Published 10:46 am Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Hormel Foods Corp. announced Tuesday that its donations to hunger relief organizations throughout the U.S. and abroad totaled more than $6.8 million during fiscal year 2014, in recognition of completing the fourth year of its On Our Way to Ending Hunger program.

The On Our Way to Ending Hunger program focuses on collaboration with retailers, nonprofit organizations and government agencies to address hunger relief, nourishing the hungry both domestically and internationally, as well as motivating individuals and corporate partners to take action against hunger.

“Through our On Our Way to Ending Hunger program, we help address the issue of hunger in this country,” said Julie H. Craven, vice president of corporate communications at Hormel Foods. “Employees are able to make a real impact where they live and work by aiding local hunger relief organizations through our plant community donations program. In addition, through Project Spammy we help malnourished children in Guatemala.”

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Throughout fiscal year 2014, Hormel Foods donated more than $390,000 to local hunger relief organizations in 39 communities where it has U.S. manufacturing facilities. Each plant identifies the organization(s) within its community to support.

Addressing disaster relief needs, Hormel Foods donated one semitrailer load of products to assist with tornado relief efforts in Little Rock, Ark. The donation of Hormel Compleats microwave meals, Skippy natural dark chocolate peanut butter spread, and Hormel 2Good smoothies was provided to the Arkansas Rice Depot in Little Rock. In addition, Hormel Foods donated one semitrailer load of products to assist with tornado relief efforts in Pilger, Neb.

The donation of Hormel Compleats microwave meals and House of Tsang soups was provided to the Food Bank for the Heartland.

Last year marked the fifth year of production for Spammy, a shelf-stable poultry product fortified with vitamins and minerals, to help prevent malnutrition in children in Guatemala. The country has one of the highest poverty rates in Latin America, and working with its international partner, Food for the Poor, Hormel Foods shipped 2.5 million cans of Spammy product for individuals in need. Hormel Foods employees also participated in four trips to Guatemala, engaging firsthand in Project Spammy.

Additional information about the company’s fiscal 2014 philanthropic efforts will be available in the Hormel Foods 2014 Corporate Responsibility Report, which will be released in June.