MONROE — Last April, Monroe’s Heather LaRoy discovered Trinity Lutheran Church’s Spread the Good News ministry.
Since 2023, Spread the Good News has collected thousands of jars of peanut butter and jelly in April for local food ministries. That effort continues this year.
LaRoy operates the mobile food pantry We Care, which began in April of 2011.
“Our numbers have varied quite a bit through the years, but, on average, we are serving 60-70 families a month currently. This translates into about 1,500 people a year,” LaRoy said. “I actually first saw the peanut butter and jelly drive mentioned on social media. This prompted me to reach out to Alison Beeker (drive chairperson) to inquire about the program and ask if our outreach ministry could be included.”
Beeker added We Care to the recipient list. LaRoy was impressed with the donation given to her ministry.
“It was almost enough to cover two months of our distributions, with each family receiving one jar of peanut butter and jelly,” LaRoy said. “Our We Care team was so grateful to be included in this program. Sourcing some things in bulk can be incredibly challenging and costly. It was truly a blessing to receive these items and then get to share them with families in need.”
Previous Coverage: Trinity Lutheran Church drive collects 2,800 jars of peanut butter, jelly
This year, Trinity Lutheran Church’s goal is 2,500 jars of peanut butter and jelly.
In 2024, Trinity collected more than 2,200 jars, surpassing its goal of 2,000. In 2023, it also surpassed its goal by collecting 1,600 jars.
“Over the past two years, we have collected over 3,000 jars of peanut butter and jelly and donated them to at least 13 agencies in the Monroe County area. This ministry has had a big impact in our community,” Beeker said. “I would like to encourage other agencies in the area to reach out to me to be added to our distribution list.”
How to donate peanut butter and jelly
During April, jars of store-bought peanut butter and jelly can be brought to Trinity’s church and school office, 323 Scott St. in Monroe.
“We also can use small boxes to pack and deliver the peanut butter and jelly,” Beeker said.
The church and school office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays for drop-offs. Items also can be dropped off during worship, 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.
All varieties of peanut butter and jelly will be accepted.
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Each local agency will receive a percentage of the jars Trinity collects. It is based on the amount of clients they serve, Beeker said.
To learn more about the drive and the ministry, call Trinity Lutheran Church at 734-242-2308.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe’s Trinity Lutheran Church wants 2,500 jars of peanut butter, jelly
Reporting by Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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