South Baldwin Regional Medical Center’s Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive Collects 150 Jars of Peanut Butter for Feeding the Gulf Coast

3/28/2023

To help address hunger in our community, and in celebration of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center has donated more than 150 jars of peanut butter (and other nut butters) to Feeding the Gulf Coast.

All of that peanut butter was donated by South Baldwin Regional Medical Center’s employees, medical staff members, and volunteers during the recent Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive.

According to Feeding America around 27,000 of residents in the Baldwin County area struggle to put food on the table. The Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive was launched to help support individuals who are facing food insecurity, which is a social determinant of health.

“Food insecurity has a significant impact on a person’s overall health and wellbeing,” said Margaret Roley, chief executive officer of South Baldwin Regional Medical Center. “Through our Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive, we are working to help fight hunger in our community. Our generous employees really stepped up to be sure we could stock the shelves at Feeding the Gulf Coast.

Peanut butter is one of the most requested items for food banks because it is highly nutritious and has a long shelf life. Unfortunately, many food banks in America report it is also one of the least donated food items. Other foods needed by food banks include canned meats (i.e., tuna, chicken, etc.), canned vegetables and fruit, fruit juice, boxed or canned meals (i.e., soup, macaroni & cheese, etc.), dried or canned beans, pasta, rice and cereal.

Feeding the Gulf Coast works through member organizations and special programs to provide nutritious food to meet the challenge of feeding people who are hungry as a result of systemic poverty, personal crisis or disaster.

“PB&Js are staples for many families and kids, but the rising cost of food leaves many of these kids without easy-to-make food,” said Missy Busby, volunteer and food drive manager for Feeding the Gulf Coast.

If you are looking to help, Feeding the Gulf Coast offers three ways to help create a hunger free Gulf Coast by giving a donation, volunteering, and hosting a food and/or fund drive. If you’d like to learn more about how your efforts can support Feeding the Gulf Coast, contact Missy Busby. Other ways to get involved include hosting a traditional, virtual or online food drive.

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