WILLMAR – Makers of Jennie-O brand turkeys based in Willmar, Minnesota, on Monday earned the Guinness World Record title for “Large Donation of Turkeys in 24 hours.”
The donation of frozen turkeys was made in conjunction with NBC’s “Today” morning television show with Al Roker, according to a Jennie-O Turkey Store news release announcing the record.
Contributed / Jennie-O Turkey Store
The donation totaled 15,000 turkeys, with 7,500 turkeys donated by Feeding America partners in New York and another 7,500 turkeys donated by Feeding America in Chicago.
“Thanksgiving is an incredibly important time for the Jennie-O brand,” said Steve Venenga, assistant vice president of retail marketing – value-added meats for Hormel, Jennie-O’s parent company. Turkey Store. “We are honored to partner with ‘Now’ and Feeding America to provide 15,000 whole turkeys to those in need in New York and Chicago.”
The previous record was set in 2022 with 7,620 donated turkeys weighing 142,117.54 pounds. This year’s donation totaled more than 320,450 pounds, according to a news release.
Contributed / Jennie-O Turkey Store
The company’s donations were also incomplete for the period. Jennie-O Turkey Store plans to donate an additional 5,000 turkeys to local organizations across the country.
This puts the total donation at the time to 20,000 turkeys.
“This special holiday is about giving thanks and sharing a meal with your loved ones. With these donations, we hope that this Thanksgiving will be especially memorable for thousands of families,” said Venenga. .
In the past, Jennie-O has worked with famous chefs, athletes and internet personalities to donate turkeys to families and schools across the country, and to help educate people on how to be the best. to prepare a turkey.
Jennie-O will also deliver two special, live turkeys to the White House for the president’s annual pardon.
And for the fourth consecutive year, Jennie-O along with his turkey-themed float will also participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Jennie-O was started over 80 years ago in Willmar. Now Jennie-O Turkey Store, the company is owned by Hormel Foods, based in Austin, Minnesota. Besides Jennie-O, Hormel also owns well-known brands including Planters, Skippy and SPAM.
