Tennova Healthcare - Newport Medical Center Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive Collects Peanut Butter for Community Blessing Boxes

3/31/2023

Newport, TN – To help address hunger in our community, and in celebration of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2, Tennova Healthcare - Newport Medical Center donated more than 100 jars of peanut butter (and other nut butters) to community Blessing Boxes.

All of that peanut butter was donated by Tennova Healthcare - Newport Medical Center’s employees, medical staff members, and volunteers during the recent Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive.

According to Feeding America, the food insecurity rate is at 18.8% of our Cocke County population. Food insecurity is defined as “the lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life.”

“Food insecurity has a significant impact on a person’s overall health and wellbeing,” said Scott Williams, CEO Tennova Healthcare - Newport Medical Center. “Through our Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive, we are working to help fight hunger in our community. Our generous employees were so eager to donate to be sure we could stock the shelves for our community.”

Peanut butter is one of the most requested items for food banks because it is highly nutritious and has a long shelf life. Unfortunately, many food banks in America report it is also one of the least donated food items. Other foods needed by food banks include canned soup, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned beans, pasta and rice.

Blessing boxes are typically wooden cabinets that are in various public locations. They serve as a place where people can donate non-perishable food items, books, personal care supplies and school supplies for those in need.

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