News Release

FORT WAYNE — Lutheran Health Network will be taking donations for its annual “Jars of Love” Peanut Butter Drive benefiting six area food banks.

Lutheran is inviting community members to participate in the effort to fight hunger in the local area. Peanut butter is a sought-after item for food banks because of its high nutritional value and long shelf life. Yet, it is one of the least donated items. The Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive kicks off Monday, March 3, and will run through Monday, March 24.

“Lutheran Health Network not only supports the patients who come through our doors, we are also committed to supporting better health throughout our community,” said Lorie Ailor, chief executive officer of Lutheran Hospital. “Food insecurity is an issue in all of our surrounding counties ranging from 10% to 15%, which has a profound impact on overall health and well-being. With the Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive, we can help vital community organizations reduce hunger in our area.”

Organizations benefiting from the drive include:

• Community Harvest Food Bank
• Feeding Tomorrow’s Future Today – Food Packs for Hungry Kids
• Wells County Food Bank
• Combined Community Services
• Miami County Helping Hands and the Salvation Army

Donation bins this year can be found at all Lutheran Health Network hospitals, OPS – Optimum Performance Sports, YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne Wellness Centers, Purdue Fort Wayne and Elevatus Architecture.

Bins are located at:

• Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital, 2101 E. Dubois Drive, Warsaw
• Lutheran Downtown Hospital, 704 Van Buren St., Fort Wayne
• Lutheran Hospital, 7950 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne
• Dupont Hospital, 2520 E. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne
• Lutheran Health Physicians: 800 Broadway, downtown Fort Wayne; 3534 Brooklyn Ave., Fort Wayne; 7910 W Jefferson Blvd., No. 102, Fort Wayne; 7916 W. Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne; 12404 Lima Road Crossing, Fort Wayne
• The Orthopedic Hospital, 7952 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne
• OPS – Optimum Performance Sports, 10106 Dupont Circle Drive E., Fort Wayne
• Elevatus Architecture, 111 E. Wayne St., Fort Wayne
• Central Branch YMCA, 1020 Barr St., Fort Wayne
• Skyline YMCA, 838 S. Harrison St., Fort Wayne
• Renaissance Pointe YMCA, 2323 Bowser Ave., Fort Wayne
• Jackson R. Lehman Family YMCA, 5680 YMCA Park Drive. W., Fort Wayne
• Parkview Family YMCA, 10001 Dawsons Creek Blvd., Fort Wayne
• Jorgenson Family YMCA, 10313 Aboite Center Road, Fort Wayne
• Caylor-Nickel Foundation Family YMCA, 550 W. Dustman Road, Bluffton
• Whitley County Family YMCA, 950 E. Van Buren St., Columbia City