Northwest Health Jars of Love peanut butter drive collects 7,580 jars of peanut butter for local food banks
3/29/2023
To help address hunger in our community, and in celebration of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2. Northwest Health’s five hospitals donated more than 7,500 jars of peanut butter (and other nut butters) to community food banks:
- Northwest Health Physicians’ Specialty Hospital donated 153 jars of peanut butter to Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.
- Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville donated 6,150 jars of peanut butter to Bentonville Public School System and Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.
- Northwest Medical Center – Springdale donated 1,113 jars of peanut butter to Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.
- Northwest Medical Center – Willow Creek Women’s Hospital donated 98 jars of peanut butter to Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.
- Siloam Springs Regional Hospital donated 66 jars of peanut butter to The Manna Center.
Peanut butter was donated by Northwest Health team members, medical staff members, volunteers and community groups during the hospitals’ recent Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive.
According to FeedingAmerica.org, 24.2 percent of residents in Benton and Washington counties 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.
“When you think about a person’s overall health and wellbeing, nutrition is critical,” said Chris York, market chief executive officer at Northwest Health. “Through our Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive, we are working to help fight hunger in the region and in our communities. Our generous team and community members showed their support and how much they care about their neighbors in Northwest Arkansas. We’re overwhelmed and grateful for the amount of donations we received across all of our campuses and we’re honored to pass that blessing to those that need it the most.”
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 proteins, canned beans, pasta and pasta sauce, canned vegetables, applesauce and canned fish.
To learn how you can support your local food banks or snack pack programs, visit these online resources:
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