Peanut Butter Drive Brings Relief to Food Insecure Children

In partnership with Albertsons and Reynolds, Hi-Line Ford took part in the Ford Focus on Child Hunger national campaign from May 13 through May 31, asking community members to grab a jar of peanut butter during their grocery trip for the Valley County Food Bank. Due to community participation, as well as Hi-Line Ford purchasing a case of peanut butter from each grocery store, a total of 300 pounds of peanut butter was donated to the Food Bank on May 4.

"We are so thrilled with the amount of peanut butter that was dropped off. Even if it had just been one box, we would still be grateful," exclaimed Pat (Hallett) Marple. According to Marple, the Food Bank serves between 80 and 100 families in the summer and in 2018, a total of 300 families were served at various times. "We are expecting the number of families to go up this year as we see lots of new people all the time," stated Marple.

The summer time can be a stressful time for families who are food insecure. As a result of not being in school, these children don't have the easy access to school nutrition and families need assistance with kid-friendly staples, such as peanut butter.

The drive last year brought 688 pounds to the food bank while the year before the drive brought in 240 pounds. "This year the drive was later in the year, so I'm not sure if that was a factor for less donations," stated event organizer Josh Sillerud from Hi-Line Ford. " I have ideas next year on how to get more jars donated. I'm hoping to get the kids involved before school ends, maybe have a competition and give the classroom with the most donated a free ice cream or something."

Sillerud's motivation to brining the Ford Focus on Child Hunger campaign to Glasgow is for the kids. "Hungry kids are not good in my book. It's a good program to be a part of," stated Sillerud.

The Valley County Food Bank is open the third Tuesday of each month, which for this month is June 18, from noon to 4 p.m. The Food Bank is located at 1020 1st Ave. No. and is open to Valley County residents only. First time participants must bring photo identification and proof of physical residence.

For more information, contact Marple at 263-3353.