Merit Health Wesley Fights Hunger with Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive

5/8/2025

Hospital Sets New Record for Donation to Extra Table

Hattiesburg, MS – Access to nutritious food can have a significant impact on an individual’s overall health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, around 1 in 5 Mississippians are struggling to put food on their tables.

Merit Health Wesley wants to change in the Pine Belt. After four weeks of collecting peanut butter through their Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive, Merit Health Wesley has donated more than 2,000 jars to Extra Table.

"We are pleased to announce a new record of 2,008 pounds of peanut butter," says project champion, Ron Cain. "Our partnership with Extra Table continues to grow as we fight hunger in our community. Our goal is to help people live healthier, and they can’t do that while struggling with food insecurity.”

Peanut butter is high in nutritional value, has a long shelf life, and widespread popularity, making it a much needed item for food banks. But, even though it is easy to buy, easy to donate, and a great source of protein, many food banks in America report it is also one of the least donated food items.

"The mission of Merit Health Wesley is ‘Loving God, Serving Others, and Excelling in Healthcare,’ and our peanut butter drive is one more way we can serve the Pine Belt,” says Cain. “We want to thank our employees, medical staff and community partners for helping to spread the love together.”

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