Connecting Community For The Holidays

On the coldest day of the Minnesota winter to date, dozens of volunteers bundled up to provide all of the staples of a holiday meal to neighbors in South Minneapolis.  

Second Harvest Heartland partnered with The Sanneh Foundation, Hy-Vee, and Hormel to distribute Hormel Cure 81 hams, providing a much-requested holiday staple to families ahead of a busy holiday season. 

Laura Meany, Associate Brand Manager for Hormel Cure 81 Ham, is excited by the partnership. “The holidays are a big deal for everyone, and taking the stress out of finding protein for the big day helps everyone out overall,” she said.  

Second Harvest Heartland CEO Allison O'Toole, Tony Sanneh of The Sanneh Foundation, Hy-Vee district director Chad Adams, and associate brand director for Hormel Cure 81 Ham, Laura Meany, help distribute hams in South Minneapolis.

Hy-Vee is donating 5,000 Hormel Cure 81 hams to hunger-relief programs across the region, including 500 to The Sanneh Foundation for distribution. Neighbors braved the bitter cold for not only Hormel hams, but milk, ground beef, and produce provided by Second Harvest Heartland. 

“We got through about 400 hams today, and the rest will be distributed later this week,” says Kim Werst, director of nutritional services for The Sanneh Foundation. “We love seeing all the food, but we really love seeing all the food go.”  

This is Hy-Vee’s 7th annual Hams for the Holidays initiative, part of Hy-Vee’s efforts to help end food insecurity in our communities. “It’s a multifaceted partnership where they’re donating product and they’re asking their shoppers to support Second Harvest Heartland,” says Erin Cohen, director of cause marketing and events for Second Harvest Heartland. “Their team is ready and willing to roll up their sleeves and help serve the community.” 

Despite the cold, spirits were high and full of holiday spirit. The holidays can be a difficult time for neighbors, especially with costs going up across the board. “The more we’re paying for things like energy, housing, healthcare, and childcare, the smaller our grocery budgets get,” says Allison O’Toole, CEO of Second Harvest Heartland. “With the holidays coming up, neighbors are looking for help getting food on the table. We decide if we show up to help.” 

The Sanneh Foundation hosts regular distributions in Corcoran Park, helping the South Minneapolis community stay fed.

"The fact that Second Harvest Heartland, The Sanneh Foundation, Hy-Vee, and Hormel came together today to help neighbors in South Minneapolis really highlights the community partnership that is necessary to help end hunger," notes Ethan Neal, director of partner operations for Second Harvest Heartland. “We’re out here today to make sure that we can connect grocery stores and people who have access to food back into the community for people who really need food. It’s about that connection back to the people.” 

Second Harvest Heartland is grateful for the partnership of The Sanneh Foundation, as well as partners like Hy-Vee and Hormel for helping put meals on tables this holiday season.