Commonwealth Healths Wilkes-barre General Hospital Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive Collects 502 Jars of Peanut Butter

3/29/2023

To help address hunger in our community, and in celebration of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2, Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital has donated more than 502 jars of peanut butter (and other nut butters) to St. Vincent dePaul Kitchen.

All of that peanut butter was donated by Wilkes-Barre General Hospital employees, medical staff members, and volunteers during the recent Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive. According to Feeding America, 12.9 percent of residents in the Luzerne County 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 Simon Ratliff, CEO of Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. “Through our Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive, we are helping to fight hunger in our community. Our employees generously donated to be sure we could stock the shelves at St. Vincent dePaul Kitchen.”

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 non-perishable items such as cereals, pasta, and canned foods such as soups, vegetables, beans or fruit.

“This donation which we are grateful for will help St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen’s Pantry mission which serves over 300 families in our community a month.” Said Mike Cianciotta, Director, St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen. “The St. Vincent de Paul Pantry and clothing room are open Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Donations are accepted seven days a week 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the kitchen serves a hot meal seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.”

People can support St. Vincent DePaul Kitchen by volunteering their time, hosting a food drive, donating food and/or money.

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