Peanut Grower Associations Donate 30,000 Jars of Peanut Butter for Food Distribution in Western NC following Hurricane Helene
Peanut Grower Associations Donate 30,000 Jars of Peanut Butter for Western North Carolina Disaster Relief
The North Carolina Peanut Growers Association, the South Carolina Peanut Board, the Virginia Peanut Growers Association, and the Peanut Growers Cooperative Marketing Association (PGCMA) partnered to deliver 21 pallets containing 30,000 jars of Peanut Proud Peanut Butter to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina for distribution to families impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Peanut Proud is the peanut industry’s humanitarian relief nonprofit organization dedicated to supplying peanut butter to food banks, schools, after-school programs, and emergency disaster relief efforts across the United States. Through financial support from peanut organizations, Peanut Proud efficiently delivers peanut butter to those in need, ensuring every donated dollar goes directly toward helping families and communities.
“Those affected by Hurricane Helene have experienced the unimaginable and have needs that will not be solved quickly. However, their immediate need for nutrition is where we can absolutely play a part in helping,” said Ashley Collins, Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Peanut Growers Association.
“Peanut butter is nonperishable, easy to store, high in protein, and a great source of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, making it a staple for food assistance and critical in times of disaster relief,” said Caitlin Joyner, Executive Director of the Virginia Peanut Growers Association.
Damage from Hurricane Helene stretched across six peanut-producing states, and in some areas the storm directly affected peanut growers themselves.
“While peanut-producing counties in North Carolina were not in Helene’s direct path, the western part of our state is experiencing unimaginable devastation. This donation through Peanut Proud is one small way we can help,” said Dave Sawyer, President of the North Carolina Peanut Growers Association.
Katherine Helms, Executive Director of the South Carolina Peanut Board, noted that this effort would not have been possible without collaboration across the peanut industry, including trucking companies that generously donated their time, labor, and transportation resources to deliver the peanut butter during an especially challenging time for logistics.
Within one week of Hurricane Helene’s landfall, nearly $100,000 had been pledged to support Peanut Proud disaster relief efforts across affected areas. Peanut organizations in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia contributed a combined $31,500 toward those relief efforts.
Support Ongoing Disaster Relief
If you would like to help support the continued distribution of peanut butter for disaster relief, donations can be made directly to Peanut Proud.
100% of every donation goes toward purchasing peanut butter for delivery to communities based on need and available distribution through the Peanut Proud organization.
To learn more or make a donation, visit:
https://www.peanutproud.org/donations
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