The 600 jars of peanut and other nut butters collected by Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital team members are on display before being donated to Dane's Family Food Pantry at Combined Community Services. Photo Provided.
The 600 jars of peanut and other nut butters collected by Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital team members are on display before being donated to Dane's Family Food Pantry at Combined Community Services. Photo Provided.
To help address hunger in the community and in celebration of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day April 2, Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital collected 600 jars of peanut and other nut butters for Dane’s Family Food Pantry at Combined Community Services.

The peanut butter was donated by Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital employees, medical staff members and volunteers during a recent “Jars of Love” peanut butter drive, which was launched to help support neighbors facing food insecurity – an important social determinant of health, according to a news release from the hospital.

“Food insecurity has a significant impact on a person’s overall health and well-being,” said Lynn Mergen, Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital CEO. “Through our ‘Jars of Love’ peanut butter drive, we are working to help fight hunger in our community. Our generous employees really stepped up and exceeded our donation expectations.”

Dane’s Family Food Pantry averages nearly 700 families served a month, and peanut butter is one of the high-demand items hard to keep in stock, according to Combined Community Services staff. Peanut butter is a highly requested item for food banks because it is nutritious and has a long shelf life. Unfortunately, many food banks in America report it is also one of the least donated food items.

“We are so grateful for the partnership from Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital through the peanut butter drive to help us ensure no neighbor in Kosciusko County goes hungry,” said Tim Frame, director of emergency assistance at Combined Community Services. "With families that will have their children home for spring break and over the summer months, the peanut butter will provide an easy meal option for kids to prepare themselves.”

Other food items the pantry needs most include jelly, cereal, pasta, pasta sauce, macaroni and cheese, pancake mix, syrup, toaster pastries, baking mixes, oatmeal, soups, boxed dinners, rice and canned goods. For more information on donating to Dane’s Family Food Pantry at Combined Community Services, 1195 Mariners Drive, call 574-269-6019 or visit ccsgives.com.