Merit Health Natchez Kicks Off 4th Annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive To Support Local Food Pantries

2/26/2026

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Today, Merit Health Natchez kicked off its 4th annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive benefiting River Assembly Feed the Hungry, First Assembly of God and Pilgrim Baptist Church food pantries and is inviting community members to participate in this effort to fight hunger in the local area.

Peanut butter is a sought after item for food banks because of its high nutritional value and long shelf life. Yet, it is one of the least donated items. The Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive kicks off today and will run through March 27. Since the first drive in 2023, we have donated 4,896 jars of peanut butter to our local food pantries.

“Every year, Merit Health Natchez makes it a priority to give back to our community, and Jars of Love is one of our favorite ways to show that we care,” said Kevin Samrow, hospital CEO. “Food insecurity has a significant impact on a person’s overall health and wellbeing. We are proud to work with the local food pantries to address hunger in our area, and we support their efforts, one jar of peanut butter at a time,” concluded Samrow.

Once again, the hospital is excited to announce the Natchez Chamber of Commerce is joining us in our Jars of Love collection drive to help us spread awareness to community members, businesses, and civic organizations that we need and welcome their participation. Our goal this year is to collect 2,000 jars of peanut butter or other nut butters.

Currently, peanut butter donations can be dropped off at any of the following locations:

• Merit Health Natchez
• Merit Health Natchez Outpatient Therapy Services, first floor of The Doctors’ Pavilion

If a business or civic organization would like to join our list of collection sites, please contact Kay Ketchings at Merit Health Natchez, (601) 443-2534.

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