FORT MYERS, Fla – Southwest Florida businesses are getting into the giving spirit to help feed hungry neighbors in need and beginning Friday, you can get involved too!
Friday is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day and Community Cooperativeis kicking off a month-long a PB&J drive.
Community Cooperative says peanut butter and jelly are some of the most frequently requested items at mobile food pantries.
Starting Friday, you can help get shelves stocked for the summer by bringing donations to local businesses who are hosting collection sites. It's all to support Community Cooperative's mission to end hunger and homelessness in Southwest Florida.
You can donate any type of peanut butter or alternative nut butter, as well as jelly or jam. It’s asking that you donate plastic jars instead of glass. Also, no expired, homemade items, or pre-made sandwiches will be accepted.
Aside from the fact that National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, Community Cooperative explained why it's collecting these items in particular.
“Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are something anyone can make. Whether it's a four-year-old who needs to make a peanut butter & jelly sandwich for themself, all the way up to one of my Meals on Wheels clients, I've got some over 100 years old. All that product will be going to help them and everybody in between. It's easy for them to do that. They may not be able to make a full meal if they're hungry, but they definitely can make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich,” said Stefanie Edwards, Chief Development & Operating Officer at Community Cooperative.
The drive will run through April 21 when a community weigh-in is planned to see who collected the most donations.
Real Tours in Fort Myers is one local business that's off to a great start. It received a recent donation that was over 40 pounds. Then on Thursday, a single donor brought in 19 jars.
If you or your business would like to get involved, there's still time to do so. You can start your own team. If you're able to host a collection box, there's a food drive tool kit with easy print-out flyers to decorate it.
You can also donate money to help Community Cooperative buy PB&J. For details on how to get involved, click here.
