Hormel Foods to donate $1M in Spam, a Hawaiian staple, to wildfire victims

Hormel Foods announced it is donating 264,000 cans of Spam to the Hawaii wildfire victims. The cans total up to $1 million in value. The delivery will be carried out by Convoy of Hope, a nonprofit organization whose mission includes aiding those affected by natural disasters.

“We are so grateful for our partners like Convoy of Hope and local Hawaii retailers who are helping us get more product to people in need as quickly as possible,” Spam Senior Brand Manager Jennesa Kinscher said in a statement. “The people of Hawaii have a special place in both the history and heart of the Spam brand. Our donation efforts are just one way we are showing the community our love and support back.”

Hormel said its team members were also raising money to donate to a local food bank. According to Convoy of Hope’s vice president of disaster services, “the fact that Spam doesn’t need refrigeration makes it a perfect item for Convoy to deliver to survivors.”

“Convoy of Hope is incredibly grateful for this very generous donation from Hormel Foods and the Spam brand,” Stacy Lamb said in a statement on the Hawaii wildfire donation. “We know how popular Spam products are, especially in Hawaii. This donation allows Convoy of Hope to deliver comfort to people whose lives have been turned upside down.”

According to food historians, Spam became especially valued in Hawaii as a cheap alternative to pork amid a surge in national popularity during World War II. Hormel said the Hawaiian community consumes more than 7 million cans of Spam products per year, more than any other state.

Hormel’s Spam donation to Hawaii wildfire victims came as Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Herman Andaya resigned, citing health reasons. Andaya had been facing criticism for his decision to not deploy an outdoor alert siren system as the fires blazed.

As of the early morning of Friday, Aug. 18, at least 111 people had been killed in the Hawaii wildfires. More than 1,000 people were still missing.