The 2016-2017 United Way of Mower County campaign got a big boost Thursday when it received a record-breaking check for $333,261, raised by employees of Hormel Foods Corp.

The check was presented to executive director Diane Baker by corporate office employees. The check represented a 7 percent increase over last year’s total, according to officials. Last year’s donation of over $312,000 also broke that year’s record.

Baker said she was grateful for the donation that was well beyond what was expected.

“It is not shocking that they hit another record” since Hormel has a strong tradition of sharing its resources with its community, she said. Those funds, combined with others donated from the community, will fund the programming that supports education, income, health and basic needs, she said.

“We are extremely grateful,” she said.

The Hormel initiative was led by tri-chairs, Nicole Shute, Erica Tweeten and Steve Borgerding.

Shute said Hormel employees are a compassionate group who responded to the stories of those who depend on the United Way.

“The United Way has a very positive effect in Mower County,” said Tweeten. “We are proud of our employees for their support of the efforts of United Way and for their renewed commitment to the community.”

Baker said the donation was by far the largest of the campaign, whose goal this year is $1.2 million. To date, about 60 percent of the goal has been reached.

“We still have work to do,” she said. “But this donation goes a long way” in helping to meet it.

Donations to the 2016-2017 campaign stay in Mower County and support programs targeting the needs of underserved populations.