Butterball Partners With StoryCorps to Collect People’s Thanksgiving Memories

What are your most unforgettable Thanksgiving memories? Perhaps it’s that juicy, moist turkey and stuffing. Or maybe it’s staying cozy at home and spending time with your loved ones.

We all have stories — some are funny and may put a knowing smile on your face. Some are crazy and remind you of random occurrences in life. Some are heartwarming and always drag you into those sweet moments in your mind.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, turkey brand Butterball is partnering with storytelling nonprofit StoryCorps Studio to gather memories and traditions people share during the holiday season.

North Carolina-headquartered Butterball has long been known for its Turkey Talk-Line, a free helpline answering people’s last-minute holiday cooking questions. The brand’s mission is to provide “great-tasting food that brings people together and helps them pass love on.”
Its partner, StoryCorps, shares similar beliefs in fostering togetherness among people. The organization aims to help individuals believe in each other by illuminating the humanity and possibility in stories. This nonprofit reckons everyone’s story matters and it's dedicated to preserving human stories that reflect the wide range of American experiences.

The two companies are now working together to create a National Thanksgiving Archive to preserve people’s memorable holiday stories to remind us of what we have in common.

This campaign began on Nov. 1. People across the country are invited to record a conversation with their family, friends, someone they connect with at Thanksgiving or anyone they would like to talk with.

The conversation usually contains around five to six questions. Some suggested questions include “What is one of your favorite Thanksgiving memories?” or “What do you think is unique about your Thanksgiving traditions?”

A full list of recommended questions can be found in the guide provided by StoryCorps. These questions can serve as a starting point for the conversation — none of the listed questions is mandatory, and participants are welcome to explore questions of their own.

To record the conversation, participants can use the virtual recording booth offered by StoryCorps, which allows people to record in the same room or connect from different locations. StoryCorps suggests participants record in a quiet, private space, have reliable internet and use headphones if their conversation partners are not in the same place.

Everyone who participates will have the option to submit their recording to the StoryCorps collection in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congres, the largest single collection of human voices ever gathered. Later this month, the submitted recordings will be shown on Butterball’s and StoryCorps’ social media platforms.

Since its establishment in 2003, StoryCorps has facilitated nearly 700,000 people across the country to carry on meaningful conversations about their lives. More information regarding the National Thanksgiving Archive can be found on the campaign website.