Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Hormel Foods Corps. held its annual profit check distribution Wednesday at its Austin plant.

The annual event, which puts an extra check in employee’s pocket’s is one of the most anticipated events of the year.

“Today’s special in that we get to work for a company that gives back, gives profits to its employees,” said Plant Manager Kari Pollak, who has been in the position for just about three of her total 24 years with the company. “Not a lot of companies do that today. The fact that Hormel shares some of its profits is a big deal.”

Distribution for the roughly 1,900 Hormel Plant employees comes in waves throughout the day, giving Pollak the opportunity to update them on what they’ve been able to accomplish throughout the year before they receive their checks.

She said after one of the presentations that there is a lot of talk leading up to this day.

“There’s a lot of excitement from our employees,” Pollak said. “An extra check around the holidays is fantastic for all of our team members. People are excited about this time of year.”

Employees in Hormel plants from around the nation who have been with the company for at least a year, are eligible to receive a profit sharing check.

This is the 85th year of the distribution and for shipping employee Heather Moses, who has been with the company for six years, this year’s check will likely be saved for some special plans.

“I think I’m going to save it for a vacation I want to take with my mother to go to Ireland,” she said. “It’s a future dream.”

However, for Moses and the rest of the employees of Hormel, the check means more than just the extra money.

It’s about pride.

“It means being valued and appreciated by my company,” she said. “It means security for me over the stressful holidays. It means I’m part of something bigger.”

While no number was available this year, in the prior 10 years a total of $14 to $17 million annually had been distributed.

By working for a company that cares about its employees, Moses said it makes her feel like she’s playing a part in the overall success of the company.

“I feel excited and motivated, honestly, to be part of something greater. Knowing that I’m feeding America,” she said. “Absolutely, it motivates me to work harder to be part of a winning team.”

“I also think it shows our commitment and our values and we are valued for our work,” she added.