Peanut Proud has assisted families in need again after the recent tornadoes that swept through the Southeast. The peanut industry’s humanitarian organization has loaded a total of 59,040 jars of peanut butter recently to send to families affected by the tornado disasters in Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama.
The first donation contained 28,800 jars of peanut butter headed to the food bank in Little Rock, Arkansas. Donations were made by Kroger, American Blanching, as well as Peanut Proud. Peanut Proud president, Gregg Grimsley says he is grateful for the industry’s support.
“I want to thank everyone in the peanut industry for the great support given to this effort and Peanut Proud,” Grimsley says. “It’s very gratifying to see the amount of support from the people who work in the industry.”
The Georgia Peanut Commission also donated approximately 7,500 packs of roasted Georgia peanuts in the first shipment heading to Arkansas. GPC chairman, Armond Morris says GPC was happy to assist in the donation.
“On behalf of the peanut farmers in the state of Georgia, we are glad to take part in the donation to help families affected by the tornado disasters,” Morris says. “Peanuts and peanut butter are a great food source during a situation such as this; refrigeration and cooking are not required and it provides a life-sustaining nutritional benefit.”
The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association and the Alabama Peanut Producers Association assisted Peanut Proud with the second shipment containing 30,240 jars of peanut butter. The peanut butter included donations from Peanut Proud, Kroger and San Filippo.
The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association was also proud to assist with the effort by donating $1,500 to the cause. Malcolm Broome, MPGA executive director, worked with Peanut Proud to coordinate delivery efforts in Pearl, Mississippi.
Teresa Mays, information specialist with APPA, assisted with the delivery efforts to food banks in Birmingham, Huntsville and Northport, Alabama.
Through the National Peanut Board, America’s peanut farmers unanimously voted to donate $10,000 to the industry’s humanitarian arm Peanut Proud to assist with the relief efforts. The donation covers the cost of about 10,000 jars of peanut butter.
“Our hearts go out to the families affected by the tornadoes,” says NPB chairman and Georgia delegate John Harrell. “We’re humbled to make this donation to Peanut Proud on behalf of America’s peanut farmers to help in the relief efforts.”
Peanut butter is ideal for food banks and aid groups because it contains eight grams of protein along with more than 30 essential vitamins and nutrients and it doesn’t require refrigeration.
The peanut butter has been delivered to each location through the generous support of Southern Ag Carriers.
Peanut Proud is the humanitarian relief organization of the U.S. peanut industry. Individuals wanting to make a donation to Peanut Proud for humanitarian efforts may do so online at the organization’s website, www.peanutproud.com or send their check made payable to “Peanut Proud” and mail to P.O. Box 446, Blakely, Georgia, 39823.