Merit Health Natchez Jars of Love Peanut Drive a Huge Success

3/27/2025

Community Helps Hospital Surpass Goal of 2,000 Jars of Peanut Butter

NATCHEZ, Miss. –March 28, 2025 – To help address hunger in our community, and in celebration of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2, Merit Health Natchez donated 2.918 jars of peanut butter to the following local food bank distribution sites: Natchez First Assembly of God Kings Kabinet Food Pantry, Pilgrim Baptist Church Food Pantry, River Assembly Church Feed the Hungry Pantry and Staples Food Pantry through St. Mary’s Basilica.

“I am truly overwhelmed and so grateful for the love and support shown for this peanut butter drive from our hospital employees, medical staff, businesses and individuals in our community,” said Kevin Samrow, Chief Executive Officer of Merit Health Natchez. “Food insecurity has a significant impact on a person’s overall health and wellbeing. Through our Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive, our community is working to help fight hunger locally,” concluded Samrow.

The hospital worked with the Natchez Chamber of Commerce to help spread the word among our business community. A special thank you to The Natchez Democrat and Miss-Lou Champions Spotlight for helping the hospital promote as well.

These four local food banks give away a combined, approximate 765 boxes of food per month to individual families. According to Pastor Wesley Downes of Natchez First Assembly of God, peanut butter is not an item usually donated to their pantry. “Peanut butter is such a great source of protein and it has a long shelf life, so we are extremely grateful to the hospital and the community for donating this source of food,” said Pastor Downes.

Merit Health Natchez offers a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox from a trusted medical source. You can sign up at https://www.merithealthnatchez.com/enewsletter-sign-up.

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