Nebraska Grocery Store Chases Donut Record for Tornado Relief

A grocery store in Grand Island, Nebraska is proving that world records can have heart.

This Friday, Hy-Vee will sell glazed donuts for just $1 each starting at 5 a.m., attempting to break the world record for most glazed donuts sold in eight hours. The current record stands at 8,558 donuts, set in Indiana, and the store is ready to sell 8,600 to claim the title.

But the real win goes beyond the record books. For every dozen donuts sold, $1 goes directly to Howard County tornado victims through United Way's United After the Storm fund.

"We had this plan for National Donut Day for some time," said Brent Grummert, the store director. "With the tornado incident in Howard County, we thought we would tie our effort to help victims rebuild their lives."

The timing couldn't be more meaningful. Communities across Howard County are still recovering from tornado damage, and the fundraiser offers both immediate financial support and a morale boost.

Hy-Vee has been actively supporting recovery efforts since the tornado hit. The store has donated money, provided food to affected families, and sent staff to help with cleanup.

The Ripple Effect

This fundraiser shows how businesses can transform routine promotions into community lifelines. What started as a fun International Donut Day celebration became an opportunity to rally neighbors around families who lost homes and belongings.

The $1 per dozen might seem modest, but if the store hits its 8,600 donut goal, that's over $700 for tornado relief. Combined with the affordable $1 price point, the event makes it easy for anyone to participate in helping their neighbors.

Grummert emphasized that community support isn't just a slogan at Hy-Vee. "It's all about supporting the community, and there's not a donation that we don't turn down," he said. "We're just simply sending help and helping clean up."

The event also brings people together during a difficult time. Residents can grab an affordable treat, potentially witness a world record being set, and know their purchase directly helps families in need.

Whether Hy-Vee breaks the record or not, Howard County families will benefit from a community that shows up when it matters most.

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