Hormel Foods Corp. will make a difference for those devastated by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Hormel employees and retirees donated $28,000, which the corporation matched, for a total donation exceeding $56,000 to be used for American Red Cross relief efforts in Japan. Hormel began the fundraising effort in March, a week after the tsunami hit.

“Our employees and retirees are to be commended for their generous donations to support the relief efforts of the American Red Cross in Japan following the March 11 earthquake and resulting tsunami,” Julie Craven, vice president of corporate communications at Hormel Foods, said in a press release. “Hormel Foods is proud to match every dollar donated by our employees as our thoughts continue to be with everyone affected by the disaster as well as the relief volunteers and organizations.”

American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern said donations from the United States are improving conditions and people’s lives eight weeks after the earthquake and tsunami.

“It has been very gratifying for me to see the generosity of our country first hand and the impact that it is having,” she said as she finished a visit to Japan. “Despite all of the destruction that we witnessed, it’s really quite amazing to know that you are part of an organization, a movement, around the world that can make a difference.”