Food banks in need of peanut butter

Mystic, Conn. (WTNH) - Now that the holidays are over folks at the Pawcatuck neighborhood center say donations have dropped significantly so they are hoping people come in and continue to donate. In particular they need peanut butter because it's taken a double hit.

Not only is the need up, but donations are down.

"It's Tuesday and between now and Friday this will be gone," said Vicki Anderson, Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center.

However, food pantries like the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center can no longer restock peanut butter using funds from the CT Nutritional Assistance Program.

"We've been told through the Connecticut Food Bank peanut butter will no longer be available because the cost of it went up," said Anderson. "So they're no longer going to purchase it themselves."

And that is posing a big dilemma for Anderson who says that source of protein is a staple in the Pawcatuck pantry and in the back pack program. It is also an item on the list which can be used by older children: no cooking or can opener required like with tuna, green beans, or corned beef hash.

"Ah fish filets," said Anderson, "these aren't things that children can necessarily make a meal of themselves."

However, a PB&J is a meal that kids can prepare for themselves. Pantries all across the state will now depend more on donations from folks like local business owner Nancy Niewenhuis.

"We feel very strongly about neighbors helping neighbors," said Nieuwenhuis.

A similar effort extended at Teddy Bearskins. The children's clothing store in Olde Mystik Village is continuing its peanut butter drive through January. Folks who donate get a raffle ticket in return to win a bear basket and gift certificate.

"We're hoping, like I said, to raise a hundred jars," said Rachel Seery-Hersant, Teddy Bearskins, "if we raise more that would be fantastic."