Million Dollar Minnesota-Maui Connection: How Hormel Foods Is Helping Hawaii

Get our free mobile app

In a savory display of compassion, Minnesota's own Hormel Foods is helping out the recovery efforts in Hawaii with a massive donation worth over one million dollars.

On the surface, there doesn't seem to be much of a local connection between the Gopher State and the Hawaiian island of Maui. Sure, both areas DO love their water-- whether it's one of our 10,000 Lakes or the Pacific Ocean.

But then again, keep in mind that Minnesota is home to Hormel Foods, which, among other things, is famous for producing SPAM. And SPAM is a product that Hawaiians LOVE. In fact, Hawaiians consume more than 7 million cans of SPAM products every year, more than any other U.S. state, Hormel Foods notes, in a relationship that goes back decades:

The true root of the island’s love for SPAM® products goes back to World War II, when the luncheon meat was served to GIs. By the end of the war, SPAM® products were a part of the local culture and today remain a popular comfort food.

So when the island of Maui was devasted by those fast-moving wildfires earlier this month, the Hormel Foods team leaped into action. The crew organized and sent five truckloads of SPAM products (that'd be over 264,000 cans) to affected areas, partnered with local food pantries, and made cash donations that, in all, total more than a million dollars.

READ MORE: This Classic MN State Fair Food Actually Isn't From Minnesota

Additionally, Hormel Foods said earlier this week that its 20,000 team members here in Minnesota and worldwide are also raising money to donate money to a local area food bank in Maui, with a match from Hormel Foods.

And, Hormel Foods also says it has created a special  “SPAM^® Brand Loves Maui” T-shirt, and will be donating 100 percent of the proceeds to the Aloha United Way’s Maui Fire Relief Fund for relief efforts in the area. (Those limited edition T-shirts can be ordered here.)

All in all, it's an impressive effort from a well-known Minnesota company that's also beloved in a state that's located over 3,800 miles away. You can get more information about how you can join in the recovery efforts HERE.

Listen to Curt St. John in the Morning
Weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5