Merit Health River Region has kicked off its annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive benefitting StoreHouse Community Food Pantry 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, Merit Health officials said, adding it is also one of the least-donated items. The Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive, which kicked off March 3 and will run through March 24, aims to help fix that problem.

“Merit Health River Region not only supports the patients who come through our doors, we are also committed to supporting better health throughout our community,” said Merit Health River Region ACEO Trevor Spradling.“An estimated 17% of people in Vicksburg/Warren County are facing food insecurity, which has a profound impact on overall health and well-being. With the Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive, we can help a vital community organization reduce hunger in our area.”

Merit Health has partnered with several locations in the community to serve as donation sites, including:

– Delta Bank, located at 2150 S Frontage Rd, Vicksburg, MS
– Vicksburg Warren Chamber of Commerce
– Cadence Bank, located at 820 South St, Vicksburg, MS
– YMCA, located at 267 YMCA Pl, Vicksburg, MS
– Freeman Physical Therapy, located at 1990 S Frontage Rd Suite J, Vicksburg, MS
– Split Ends Family Salon, located at 3412 Pemberton Square Blvd Suite 5, Vicksburg, MS
– Far East Liquors, located at 3429 Halls Ferry Rd, Vicksburg, MS

All sizes of jars are welcome, organizers said; however only plastic jars – and no glass containers – may be donated.