(KNSI) — Willmar-based Jennie-O has shattered the Guinness World Record for the Largest Donation of Turkeys in 24 Hours.
On World Kindness Day, the company gave 15,000 whole turkeys to local partners of Feeding America and 5,000 turkeys to additional charities to help those needing a Thanksgiving meal. Jennie-O collaborated with NBC’s TODAY, where weather and feature anchor Al Roker helped set the record.
Steve Venenga, Assistant Vice President, Retail Marketing – Value-Added Meats for Hormel, says the company is honored to partner with TODAY and Feeding America to continue its “long-standing tradition of working with organizations around the U.S. to donate turkeys – and this year, we’re donating more than 5,000 to local organizations. This special holiday is about giving thanks and sharing a meal with those you love. With these donations, we hope to make this Thanksgiving particularly memorable for thousands of families.”
Eight Jennie-O semi-trucks were deployed from Minnesota so officials could hand deliver the turkeys to Feeding America locations. Each bag contained a whole turkey and cooking tips, recipes, and information about the 1-800-TURKEYS hotline, where home cooks can speak with turkey experts about any and all Thanksgiving-related meal-prep questions and emergencies.
The previous world record for the Most Turkeys Donated in 24 Hours was 7,620 turkeys, weighing 142,117.54 pounds in 2022. This year, the 15,000 turkeys weighed more than 320,450 pounds.
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