South Baldwin Regional Medical Center's Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive Collects 1,758 Jars of Peanut Butter for Local Food Banks
4/1/2024
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 1,758 jars of peanut butter (and other nut butters) to local food banks in Baldwin County.
All of the peanut butter was donated by South Baldwin's employees, medical staff members and volunteers during the recent Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama is the fifth poorest state in the nation, with 17% of adults and 23% of children (1 out of 4) facing food insecurity, or lack of regular access to enough nutritious food for an active, healthy life. For those with low or no income, rent or mortgage and medicine are usually covered first, leaving little for the food budget and other, more flexible expenses.
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 well-being,” said Margaret Roley, CEO 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 across Baldwin County.”
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 jelly, oatmeal/cereal, granola/protein bars, instant potato flakes, seasoning packets, juice boxes, rice, sugar, salt and much more.
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