DeTar Healthcare System Launches Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive to Fight Hunger in the Crossroads

1/28/2025

Victoria, TX – DeTar Healthcare System is proud to announce the return of the Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive to fight hunger in the Crossroads, taking place from March 1 – 25, 2025. This campaign, in collaboration with the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent (FBGC), aims to provide much-needed nutrition to families, children, and individuals facing food insecurity across the region. In order to grow the initiative and have a larger impact in the Crossroads, DeTar is expanding the drive from an internal effort to a community drive in 11 counties to supply the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent and the food pantries they support with an abundance of donations.

The Food Bank of the Golden Crescent (FBGC) is the support system for over 100 agencies in their 11-county service area of Calhoun, Colorado, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, Refugio, Wharton and Victoria. Working to fulfill their mission of “helping heal the hurt of hunger,” the Food Bank supports the needs of children, families and seniors in their 9,963 square mile service area through food distribution, nutrition education, advocacy and strategic partnerships.

Why Peanut Butter?
Peanut butter is one of the most requested items by food pantries due to its nutritional value, long shelf life, and affordability. Packed with protein, it is a filling, healthy option that helps families stretch their food budgets. The Jars of Love Drive will provide essential supplies of peanut butter to those in need in our local communities, ensuring they have access to a nutritious and sustainable source of food.

How the Community Can Help
Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate by hosting donation barrels at their locations. Businesses can request a barrel by visiting the campaign's landing page at https://www.tfbgc.org/jarsoflove or by calling the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent at 361-578-0591. Barrels will be delivered in advance of the official drive kickoff on March 1.

The collection will run through March 25, with all donated peanut butter jars being weighed and distributed to food pantries serving 11 counties across the region., “Peanut butter is a vital source of protein and nutrition for families experiencing food insecurity. Unfortunately, it’s often in short supply at food banks,” said Bernard Leger, CEO of DeTar Healthcare System. “DeTar’s Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive is a simple yet impactful way to help reduce hunger in our community. We’re thrilled to collaborate with the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent as well as local businesses to help collect peanut butter for families in need in Victoria as well as the 11 counties that both DeTar and FBGC serve," said Leger.

Kickoff Event at the March 1st Farmers’ Market
The drive will officially kick off on Saturday, March 1, with DeTar Healthcare System on site at the Victoria Farmers’ Market (held in the parking lot of the Pattie Dodson Public Health Center on North Navarro) from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. to collect peanut butter donations and share information about the drive. Community members are encouraged to bring their donations to the market, where DeTar representatives will be on hand to help kick off the month-long event.

Donate Online and Make an Impact
The Food Bank of the Golden Crescent has developed a landing page with more information on the drive, as well as an online donation button: https://www.tfbgc.org/jarsoflove. For every $2 donation, the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent will be able to purchase one jar of peanut butter. Through the online donation portal, the community can also participate in the $20 Challenge, where $20 = 10 jars of peanut butter, helping to provide even more support for local families.

The Need in the Crossroads
Since the pandemic the nation has seen a significant rise in food insecurity, with many families struggling to make ends meet. According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap, 1 in 6 residents in the greater Crossroads area struggle with food insecurity. With peanut butter being one of the most requested food items, the Jars of Love Drive aims to provide essential nutrition to those who need it most, ensuring that local families can access this protein-packed food source. "The demand for peanut butter is particularly high because it’s a staple that provides much-needed protein and energy," said Robin Cadle, CEO of The Food Bank of the Golden Crescent. "With the help of DeTar Healthcare System and our community supporters, we can meet this critical need and support those in the Crossroads who are facing hunger."

How to Get Involved
Businesses: Request a barrel for your location through https://www.tfbgc.org/jarsoflove or by calling 361-578-0591.
Community Members: Donate peanut butter at participating locations, bring donations to the Farmer's Market on March 1, or contribute online at https://www.tfbgc.org/jarsoflove to help fund peanut butter purchases.
Together, we can make a big impact in the fight against hunger in the Crossroads. Every jar and every dollar counts. Learn more and support today at: www.tfbgc.org/jarsoflove.

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