Catholic Charities Looking To Ensure Every Kid Can Snack On Peanut Butter and Jelly

(KNSI) – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud wants to ensure every area student can access a childhood food staple.

The organization is hosting a peanut butter and jelly drive to help fight youth hunger. Catholic Charities Food Shelf is now a certified SuperShelf, and the designation requires it to stock staples like peanut butter.

In addition to being half of a combo that makes the perfect school lunch or afternoon snack, peanut butter is shelf-stable and a great source of protein. Catholic Charities says that between the great taste and the health benefits, peanut butter is one of the food shelf’s most requested items.

The organization has trouble securing the creamy treat, though, and often has to buy it out-of-pocket like the average person. With classrooms about to be back in session, Catholic Charities is taking all of the PB or J you can supply Mondays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Volunteers are also available at the Roosevelt Road location on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Emergency Services Program Manager Eric Vollen says, “About 1 in 7 children in Minnesota face hunger or food insecurity. 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.”

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