Hy-Vee Partners with Twin Cities Salvation Army to Give Away 5,700 Hormel Hams

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (December 15, 2016) — Hy-Vee, Inc. is partnering with the Twin Cities Salvation Army to give away 5,700 Hormel hams to families in need this holiday season. The hams will be provided to families participating in the Salvation Army’s five Toy Shop events that will occur throughout the Twin Cities area starting Friday. Each Toy Shop provides toys to families who are pre-registered. This year, participating families at each event will also receive a free ham from Hy-Vee employees. Hy-Vee will then donate any hams remaining after the events to the Salvation Army so they can serve hot meals at their facilities.

“We are honored to partner with the Twin Cities Salvation Army to combat hunger this holiday season,” said Mike Long, district vice president of Hy-Vee’s northeast district. “This organization exemplifies our values and shares our spirit of community involvement. Together, we are able to make a far greater impact than either one of us could alone – providing help to thousands of local families.”

The Salvation Army’s Toy Shops are held annually, but this is the first time food will be provided to those who are registered. More than 5,000 families are expected at the events.

“When Hy-Vee approached us about the opportunity to partner, we were thrilled,” said Terry Hildebrandt, social services director for the Twin Cities Salvation Army. “The fact that we are not only able to send families home with toys for their children but also provide them with a ham for their dinner table makes this event even more special.”

Hy-Vee received 5,700 10-pound hams through a partnership with Hormel. This donation is the largest single donation Hormel has ever provided to Hy-Vee through its charitable program.

Registration for the Salvation Army Toy Shop is closed to the public for 2016; however, the media is invited to attend.

Toy Shops will be held in Burnsville on Friday, Dec. 16; Brooklyn Park on Saturday, Dec. 17; Stillwater on Monday, Dec. 19; Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 21; and St. Paul on Thursday, Dec. 22. Members of the media can call (515) 975-9211 for location details.