Feeding America SWVA to receive peanut butter donation - WSLS 10 NBC in Roanoke/Lynchburg Va

Feeding America SWVA to receive peanut butter donation

Salem based Feeding America Southwest Virginia (FASWVA) will receive part of a donation to Virginia food banks from the Planters company.

According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, state peanut farmers and Planters will joins forces to donate four pallets worth of peanut butter to the Federation of Virginia Food Banks.  The total number of jars to be split among seven food banks in the Commonwealth, is 5,760.

Amy Wilson with FASWVA tells WSLS that the local portion will be 816 jars of peanut butter.

"Peanut butter is a great source of protein.  Also, because of the recent cost increase of peanut butter we are always grateful for the donation of the item," Wilson stated in an e-mail to WSLS.

The donation from Planters and the Virginia peanut farmers is in honor of national peanut month.

"Over the last few years, many of the food banks across the state have had to rely on the generosity of the community to restock their shelves with peanut butter due to the rise in cost. This donation comes at the perfect time, when our shelves are pretty bare," noted Leslie Van Horn, Executive Director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks.

"I hope this contribution from our farmers and Planters will challenge others to give at a time when our Food Banks need some help," stated Dell Cotton, Executive Director of the Virginia Peanut Growers Association.