MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A Minnesota company is giving thanks to its employees.

Hormel Foods handed out hundreds of bonus checks to employees at its Austin plant on Thursday as a way to say thank you for their hard work.

“It’s an exciting day for everyone in the plant. It’s fun to come and see all my co-workers with smiles on their faces,” said Hormel employee Missie Lindberg.

Hormel’s net earnings are up 13-percent this quarter from last year, so they’re sharing some of the profit with their workers. It’s something they’ve done for 74-years.

This year, the company distributed more than $16 million.