Jewish Family Services (JFS) is kicking off its annual “Spread the Love” food campaign — beginning Feb. 1 throughout the month, JFS is asking for donations of spreadables including peanut butter, jelly, ketchup, honey and other non-perishable items.
Through its two locations, the JFS Food Pantry distributes 500 jars of peanut butter each month along with countless other non-perishable items like fresh foods, diapers, cleaning supplies, paper goods, hygiene items and pet food.
During Spread the Love, JFS hopes to collect 2,500 jars of spreadables to stock its pantry shelves. According to Feeding America in 2018, food insecurity affects an estimated 15.3% of children aged 18 and under in Jackson County, Missouri, where JFS has its Brookside food pantry. Peanut butter is a food pantry staple due to being shelf-stable and a nutritional source of protein. Inflation continues to take its toll on pantry inventory, and JFS invites the community to donate.
Donations can be dropped off during business hours in the lobby of the Jewish Community Campus (5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211) or in the barrel around the back at the Brookside location (425 E 63rd St, Kansas City, MO 64110).
JFS encourages individuals, businesses, organizations, schools, youth groups and neighborhoods to “spread the love” by hosting a food drive during February.
“If you are hosting a playoff watch party, ask guests to bring a peanut butter and jelly donation for JFS,” said Jo Hickey, Director of JFS Pantry Partnerships, before a previous Spread the Love drive. “Or if your workplace has a ‘Wear Red Day,’ we suggest a little friendly competition with a peanut butter collection challenge between departments, and everyone becomes a winner.”
Local businesses across the Kansas City metro are also participating. Servaes Brewing Company in Shawnee, Kansas, released four peanut butter beers last year and encouraged patrons to donate to Spread the Love. Other businesses, such as Revocup Coffee (Leawood, Kansas) host drop off sites for customers during the month of February.
JFS can drop off barrels or totes for your collection and pick up the donations at the conclusion of your drive. Graphics for posters, email and social media are available at the JFS website (jfskc.org/spread-the-love). Donors may also purchase items for the food pantry directly through the JFS Pantry Wish List on Amazon (amzn.to/3XH5v7Z) or make a financial contribution to the pantry at jfskc.org/donate.
Those interested in hosting a drive during February can email or call Jo Hickey at (913) 327-8257 to coordinate dates.
