Philanthropy
In 2021, we provided support to over 150 students through our Inspired Pathways program.
We know how important it is to support education, as well as initiatives that build better communities and help others.
As part of our 20 By 30 Challenge, we are striving to achieve the following goal pertaining to education by 2030: Provide the opportunity of a free two-year college education for all of our team members’ high school graduates. This ambition helps support Goal 10 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
From scholarship opportunities to volunteer efforts and donations, we are proud of our ongoing philanthropic efforts. We are pleased to report that in 2021, we provided support to over 150 students through our Inspired Pathways program. Our Inspired Pathways program, which provides the opportunity of a free two-year college education for the dependent children of our team members, is fulfilling our goal. We also held several Inspired Giving spotlight charity campaigns in 2021. Additional information about these initiatives and some of our other philanthropic efforts can be found below.
Examples Of Our Efforts
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$40K+Donated*
Inspired Giving Spotlight Charities Campaigns
We held several Inspired Giving spotlight charity campaigns in 2021. Through these campaigns, Hormel Foods matched the donations of our team members and retirees during the campaign time frames. In total, more than $40,000 was donated to Big Brothers and Big Sisters International, Feeding America, Hollaback!, The Savory Institute, The Trevor Project and World Central Kitchen.*
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150+Studentswere provided support
Inspired Pathways
The 2021-2022 academic year was the first year of our Inspired Pathways program, which provides the opportunity of a free two-year college education for the dependent children of our team members. This monumental program helps many first-generation college students. In 2021, we provided support to over 150 students.
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$50KDonated To Charities
Acts of Substance Donations
To help celebrate the company’s acquisition of the Planters® snacking portfolio in 2021 and welcome the Mr. Peanut® character to his new home in Minnesota, Hormel Foods donated $10,000 to five Minnesota charities for a total of $50,000. Donations were made to Cedar Valley Services, the Jeremiah Program, Make-A-Wish Minnesota, Meals on Wheels (Duluth) and the Thielen Foundation. In addition, the company surprised four Minnesotans who add substance to their communities and make their neighbors’ days a little better by giving each one a $10,000 check.
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$20KDonated
ABC Food Tours
We partnered with ABC Food Tours in 2021 to support its mission to provide equitable educational resources to marginalized students in New York City and break the oppressive cycle of poverty via programs focused on food/fitness, mentorship and skills-based training. The organization was founded by Matt James, a TV personality and former star of “The Bachelor.” In addition to making a $20,000 donation, Hormel Foods participated in the Oliver Scholars Mentorship Program.
ABC Food Tours and Oliver Scholars partnered to provide accessible educational resources to underserved New York City students. The Oliver Scholars helped create a two-week boot camp for middle school students from P.S. 188 (The Island School). The camp featured guest speakers, activities and content related to career development. Several Hormel Foods team members participated in a panel discussion during the camp. In addition, Hormel Foods donated bags of groceries that were distributed to the students at the end of the camp. The bags were filled with SKIPPY® peanut butter, CHI-CHI’S® salsa, Hormel® chili, a Hormel® Compleats® microwave meal and Hormel® pepperoni. Also included were recipe ideas and information about how to reduce food waste.
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Museum
Free SPAM® Museum
For more than 30 years, our team members at the SPAM® Museum have been bringing the world together one SPAM® brand story at a time. The mission of telling the story of SPAM®, the iconic brand that began in 1937, is just part of what the SPAM® Museum is all about. There is something for everyone, including history lessons, experiential education, a play area and interactive exhibits. Though it is a national — and even international— destination, the free museum is an irreplaceable part of the local community. Virtual tours are available for those who are unable to visit in person.
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Crisis Assistance Relief Effort (CARE) Program
The company’s CARE Program is designed to help team members and their families in emergency or hardship situations. Scenarios such as needing emergency housing in the case of a house fire or to offset costs of a funeral for an immediate family member are examples where the CARE Program provides assistance. The CARE Program is funded primarily by donations from team members. Each year, employee groups hold events to raise funds.
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$20KAwarded In Scholarships
Hormel Heroes Scholarships
Hormel Foods created the Hormel Heroes Scholarship Program to support students with military backgrounds who are pursuing careers in culinary arts or a program related to foodservice management. The program is administered by the National Restaurant Educational Foundation. In 2021, we awarded two $10,000 scholarships.
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14Undergrad Scholarships Awarded
Undergraduate College Scholarships
For the 55th consecutive year, Hormel Foods awarded 14 undergraduate college scholarships to children of full-time, retired and deceased team members of Hormel Foods and its subsidiaries. Hormel Foods has provided funds for the scholarship program since 1966, and recipients receive awards of $2,000 per year for four years. These students showed exemplary scholastic abilities and leadership qualities, outstanding standardized test scores and significant involvement in their schools and communities.
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39Scholarships Awarded
Jennie-O Turkey Store Scholarships
Each year, our Jennie-O Turkey Store subsidiary awards continuing education scholarships in the amount of $1,000 and Golden Excellence Scholarships in the amount of $6,000 to selected children of team members. In 2021, Jennie-O Turkey Store awarded 37 students with $1,000 scholarships and two students with $6,000 scholarships.
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Inspired Volunteer Ambassador Challenge
Our team members support nonprofits in their communities, electing to help others through monetary donations as well as volunteering their time and talents. In 2021, we held an Inspired Volunteer Ambassador Challenge, which was launched during the company’s annual Spirit Week festivities. Team members were encouraged to volunteer during the one-month challenge timeframe and record their hours in our Inspired Giving system. Over 360 volunteer hours were recorded through this initiative, and the top companywide volunteer was recognized.** We also provided a donation to the top volunteer’s charity of choice.
*Some of these donations occurred in calendar year 2021.
**Self-reported by team members – includes work and personal time.