When families with children in Great Bend faced the threat of losing SNAP benefits, community members responded with a Peanut Butter Drive. Tables were set up at 3114 Broadway Ave. (John and Crystal Cross), 3105 Broadway Ave. (Mark and Michelle Rondeau), and 2344 Washington St. (Central Kansas Surveying and Mapping, Randy and Cathy Anderson) and people were invited to leave jars of peanut butter. Cash donations to buy jars were accepted inside the homes/business. The drive started on Nov. 7 and ended on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

According to Crystal Cross, a former GBHS English teacher and one of the organizers, donations will be distributed through the school district to children eligible for free and reduced-price lunches.

“We have been so successful,” Cross said Wednesday morning. In addition to many jars of peanut butter, they collected nearly $800 in cash to buy more. They planned to deliver the food on Thursday, focusing on schools with the greatest need: Eisenhower, Park, Riley, Great Bend Middle School and Great Bend High School.

“In Great Bend alone, there are 1,910 students currently receiving free and reduced lunches, approximately 68% of USD 428’s enrollment,” Cross posted on Facebook. “While one jar of peanut butter does not solve the current food issue, every jar helps and will go to those who are hungry at home. We are hoping to continue and expand into other non-perishable items as this dilemma continues.”

She said people don’t realize that schools have food pantries that allow students to take items home, thus having food on the weekends.