Back-to-school drive collects peanut butter and jelly

ST. CLOUD — A food drive to collect jars of peanut butter and jelly — the ingredients needed for that kid-favorite lunchroom sandwich staple — aims to fight childhood hunger in the community just in time for students to head back to class.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud is holding the back-to-school peanut butter and jelly drive to benefit Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf.

Why peanut butter and jelly? In addition to being some of the most requested items from food shelves, peanut butter and jelly are also kid-friendly, shelf-stable and protein-rich.

Catholic Charities’ certified SuperShelf is committed to meeting stocking standards that offer access to appealing and healthy foods. But because of its high demand and cost, peanut butter is one of the food items the food shelf must often purchase out-of-pocket.

“About one in seven children in Minnesota face hunger or food insecurity,” said Eric Vollen, Catholic Charities Emergency Services Program Manager. “We are asking our community to donate jars of peanut butter and jelly to help ensure kids have the fuel they need to be successful in the classroom and have fun on the playground.”

Donations can be delivered to Catholic Charities Emergency Services, 157 Roosevelt Road, Suite 100, St. Cloud (Door D). Donations are accepted on Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Those dropping off donations are asked not to leave them outside Catholic Charities’ doors. Donations must be collected and weighed by Catholic Charities staff to ensure food safety standards and inventory tracking. To coordinate a donation drop-off outside of these times, call 320- 229-4560.

The mission of Catholic Charities is to serve and enhance human dignity for people of all faiths and beliefs. Learn more online at www.ccstcloud.org.