Access to nutritious food can have a significant impact on an individual’s overall health and wellbeing.
Unfortunately, approximately one in five Mississippians are struggling to put food on their tables. Merit Health Wesley wants to change that statistic in the Pine Belt.
The hospital is asking employees and community members to come together and participate in their Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive.
“We are so excited to announce our partnership with Extra Table as we start collecting peanut butter to help fight hunger in our community,” project champion Angela Parker said. “Our goal is to help people live healthier, and they can’t do that while struggling with food insecurity.”
Peanut butter is high in nutritional value, has a long shelf life, and enjoys widespread popularity, making it a much needed item for food banks. But even though it is easy to buy, easy to donate, and a great source of protein, many food banks in America report it is also one of the least donated food items.
The hospital staff is collecting as much peanut butter (or other nutritious butters like almond butter or sunflower seed butter) as it can through March 15. They ask that participants donate these nut butters in plastic – not glass – jars.
Donations can be made at all Merit Health locations, including the Merit Health Wesley front lobby and Merit Health Medical Group clinics.
The hospital plans to contribute all peanut butter donations to Extra Table.
“The mission of Merit Health Wesley is ‘Loving God, Serving Others, and Excelling in Healthcare,’ and we are extremely excited to serve those here in the Pine Belt,” Parker said. “We want to spread the love together.”
