MINNEAPOLIS — The head of Austin-based Hormel Foods has donated $50,000 and food for Easter meals for families of veterans at military hospitals.

Hormel CEO Jeffrey Ettinger visited the Minneapolis Fisher House on Tuesday to present the contribution to the Fisher House Foundation, along with a donation of Hormel Cure 81 hams and Country Crock side dishes for family members spending the Easter holiday at Fisher Houses across the country.

Fisher Houses provide homes away from home for families of patients receiving care at major military and VA medical centers. There are close to 60 across the country and in Germany. Since 1990, the program says, the homes have provided free lodging to more than 180,000 families, saving them $200 million in lodging costs.