Peanut Butter Drive: Longview vs. Tyler!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2024

Contact:
Rebecca Berkley
Director of Communications & Marketing
903-617-2008
rberkley@easttexasfoodbank.org

East Texas Food Bank Announces "Spread the Love" Peanut Butter Drive: Longview vs. Tyler

Tyler & Longview, TX – Get ready for some friendly competition this September! Tyler Mayor Don Warren and Longview Mayor Kristen Ishihara are teaming up for the "Spread the Love" Peanut Butter Drive, collecting jars of peanut butter for the East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) during Hunger Action Month.

“We're calling on the residents of both cities to participate and help fill the shelves of our pantry partners in Longview and Tyler,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “Peanut butter is a nutritious, kid-friendly, and high-protein food that most East Texans keep in their pantry.”

How to Participate:
Jars of peanut butter will be collected throughout the month until September 27. Look for ETFB food barrels in Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods, and FRESH locations in Tyler and Longview. You can also donate online by purchasing peanut butter at EastTexasFoodBank.org/pbdrive.

Participating Locations:

• Tyler: Brookshire’s (Roseland Blvd, E. 5th St, Rice Rd), FRESH, Super 1 Foods (Gentry Pkwy, NNW Loop 323, Troup Hwy, Centennial Pkwy)
• Longview: Brookshire’s (Gilmer Rd), Super 1 Foods (E Marshall Ave, S High St, W Loop 281)

Why Peanut Butter?
“Life can get sticky, and sometimes you need a helping hand,” said Mayor Don Warren of Tyler. “Let’s spread generosity as smoothly as we spread peanut butter.”

Mayor Kristen Ishihara of Longview added, “The East Texas Food Bank has played a vital role in our community, especially with the recent opening of their Longview location. Longview is ready to give back and support this important cause.”

Hunger Action Month
Every September, Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month brings attention to food insecurity. In East Texas, 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 4 children face hunger.

“We're grateful to Brookshire’s for allowing collection barrels in 12 stores across Tyler and Longview,” said Emerson. “Shoppers can drop off jars while buying groceries, and businesses collecting donations can bring them to any participating store by September 26.”

Stay updated on the competition results through ETFB’s social media and website. “No matter which city collects the most jars, the real winners are East Texans in need,” said Emerson.

About the East Texas Food Bank

Founded in 1988, the East Texas Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief nonprofit in the region, serving 26 counties. Providing over 31 million meals annually to over 200 partner agencies, ETFB is dedicated to fighting hunger and feeding hope. 

Learn more at EastTexasFoodBank.org.