Giving a Helping Hand to Maui
This popular food staple is being sent by the truckful.
Many companies are giving a helping hand to the people impacted by the devastating wildfires in Maui. One company, Hormel, is sending more than 264,000 cans – three truckloads full – of Spam as part of the relief effort, according to a press release from the company.
The Spam, which is a popular canned meat staple in Hawaii, was already sent to Maui, with the nonprofit Convoy of Hope handling the distribution so that the food is given to the people who need it the most. Two more truckloads will follow.
Wildfire Relief
The wildfires destroyed the historic town of Lahaina on August 8, 2023. have left thousands of people homeless and in need of relief aid. To help raise funds for the effort, Hormel is selling T-shirts that read “SPAM® Brand Loves Maui” with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Aloha United Way, reported CBS News.
Hormel has previously partnered with organizations like convoy of Hope to help people after natural disasters but the Spam product has a very strong connection to Hawaii. The company wrote on its Facebook page: “To our ohana [family] on Maui, we see you and love you. We've been working with our trusted partners on how we can help.”
What’s the connection to Spam?
The Spam brand has a long connection to Hawaii where over 7 million cans of spam are consumed every year, according to the press release. That’s more than in any other state in the US.
The roots of this stem from World War II when the canned meat was served to the American military. By the end of the war, Spam was part of the local cuisine and is still popular today. You can even find Spam at McDonalds and Burger King, reported Kare11 News
“It became a shelf-stable, versatile, convenient, and really affordable protein," Jason Baskin, Hormel's director of marketing for SPAM told Kare11 News. "The people of Hawaii started to use it in daily dishes and really fell in love with it.”
Today, Spam is considered a comfort food, so Hormel is sending a bit of comfort along with nourishment, in every can.
Food banks across the island are gearing up to people with essentials. You do not have to live in Hawaii to donate. You can contribute to the relief effort for the people of Maui through the Aloha United Way, Maui United Way, or to the Maui Strong Fund.
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