LOWER KEYS MEDICAL CENTER COLLECTING PEANUT BUTTER TO FIGHT HUNGER

Fourth Annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive Will Support SOS Foundation Stock Island Food Pantry 

KEY WEST, FL (MARCH 6, 2026) – Lower Keys Medical Center is working to fight hunger in the community by collecting peanut butter to donate to SOS Foundation Stock Island Food Pantry. The fourth annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive starts on March 9, 2026 and will continue through March 25, 2026. Lower Keys Medical Center collects peanut butter because it is one of the least donated items even though it is high in nutritional value and is shelf stable.  
 
“Every year, Lower Keys Medical Center makes it a priority to give back to our community, and Jars of Love is one of our favorite ways to show that we care,” said Drew Bigby, chief executive officer, Lower Keys Medical Center. “According to United Way of Collier and the Keys, an estimated 50% of Monroe County residents live in ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). Food insecurity can contribute to poor health. SOS Foundation Stock Island Food Pantry and United Way of Collier and the Keys are working to address hunger in our area and we are proud to support their efforts, one jar of peanut butter at a time.”  
 
Morgan Tracey-Barber, chief executive officer at SOS Foundation Food Pantry, said, “Partnerships like Jars of Love remind us that small acts, even a single jar of peanut butter can make a big difference and keeping our pantry shelves stocked for local families is vital. We’re so grateful to Lower Keys Medical Center for rallying the community each year to help ensure our children and families have consistent access to food.”  
 
This year, Lower Keys Medical Center has a goal to collect 200 jars of peanut butter and other nut butters for SOS Foundation Stock Island Food Pantry. Donations from the public are welcome between March 9 – 25, 2026, Mondays through Saturdays, 7 am – 7 pm in the hospital main lobby.  
 
About Lower Keys Medical Center 
Lower Keys Medical Center is an acute care community hospital offering 24 hour emergency department services. Accreditations include The Joint Commission Acute Care Hospital Program and Primary Stroke Center, American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center, the American College of Radiology – Mammography, and the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission - Echocardiography. The hospital is recognized by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with a 4 Star quality rating.  
 
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