Jennie-O® Shatters Guinness World Record with 15,000 Turkey Donation on World Kindness Day
WILLMAR, Minn., Nov. 13, 2023 — In a heartwarming celebration of generosity on World Kindness Day, the makers of the beloved Jennie-O® turkey brand announced an extraordinary achievement: they have broken the Guinness World Records title for the “Largest Donation of Turkeys in 24 Hours.” The historic donation comprises 15,000 whole turkeys, setting a new benchmark for charitable giving.
Collaborating with NBC’s TODAY, the Jennie-O® team, led by weather and feature anchor Al Roker, orchestrated the groundbreaking donation. Deploying eight semi-trucks from Minnesota to New York and Chicago, the team hand-delivered the turkeys to local partners of Feeding America, the largest anti-hunger charity in the United States.
The impact of this monumental gesture was twofold. Seven thousand five hundred turkeys were allocated to the New York area through partnerships with Food Bank for New York City and City Harvest. Simultaneously, another 7,500 turkeys were directed to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, one of Feeding America’s Chicago partners.
Thanksgiving holds special significance for the Jennie-O® brand. Steve Venenga, Assistant Vice President, Retail Marketing – Value-Added Meats for Hormel, expressed the brand’s commitment, stating, “We are honored to collaborate with TODAY and Feeding America to provide 15,000 whole turkeys to those in need in New York and Chicago.” The brand also continues its tradition of donating over 5,000 turkeys to local organizations, totaling more than 20,000 turkeys given away this Thanksgiving season.
Karen Schuchardt, Senior Vice President, Content & Talent Partnerships, Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal, emphasized the power of collaboration to make a positive impact: “We are incredibly proud of this collaboration to support families across the country when it matters most.”
The grand donation transcended the previous Guinness World Records title holder, which donated 7,620 turkeys weighing 142,117.54 pounds in 2022. In 2023, the Jennie-O® brand set a new record, donating 15,000 turkeys weighing more than 320,450 pounds.
Apart from this record-breaking donation, Jennie-O® is also contributing over 5,000 turkeys to various organizations during this Thanksgiving season, spreading the spirit of gratitude and generosity. This commitment aligns with the brand’s tradition of giving back, exemplified by previous partnerships with renowned figures like Carla Hall and MrBeast.
In addition to these acts of kindness, two lucky Jennie-O® turkeys will travel to Washington, D.C., for the annual presidential pardon by President Biden. The Jennie-O® brand will also participate in the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, featuring the beloved turkey float and Paul Russell, marking its fourth consecutive appearance.
This Thanksgiving, Jennie-O® not only shattered records but also warmed hearts, embodying the true essence of the holiday season.
About Jennie-O Turkey Store For over 80 years, the Jennie-O® brand has been helping consumers live well by eating well. As the category leader, Jennie-O® turkey is the trusted brand for quality turkey and a source of expertise. We provide a full portfolio of delicious, nutritious turkey proteins and inspiration for everyday meals or special occasions. For more information, visit jennieo.com.
About Hormel Foods — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters®, Skippy®, SPAM®, Hormel® Natural Choice®, Applegate®, Justin’s®, Wholly®, Hormel® Black Label®, Columbus®, Jennie-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com and csr.hormelfoods.com.