Kiwanis Club attempts world record to benefit food bank

SCNow.com
http://www.scnow.com/scp/news/local/grand_strand/article/food_banks_attempts_peanut_butter_jelly_world_record/38553/

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH – The North Myrtle Beach Kiwanis Club, in partnership with BiLo and Easy 105.9, will attempt to set a world record during “The Great Peanut Butter and Jelly Challenge.” 

According to a news release, organizers will attempt to collect the most pounds of peanut butter and jelly in a 36-hour period.  North Strand Helping Hand (NSHH) will receive the donated peanut butter and jelly to help to stock their food pantry. “Peanut butter and jelly is a staple that every family can use,” said Margaret Owens, executive director of NSHH.  “With our client numbers on the rise, this will be a huge benefit for us.”

The world record attempt will take place at the BiLo on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach beginning at noon on April 3 and running around the clock until midnight on April 4. 
Participants may bring unopened product to the donation center in the BiLo parking lot, or they may purchase the product at the store.  BiLo will be running BonusCard® specials on their Southern Home brand of peanut butter, jam, and jelly. 

Donors outside of the North Myrtle Beach area can visit their local BiLo and donate to their local food bank.  Only the pounds donated at the North Myrtle Beach BiLo will count towards the world record.

“The work that North Strand Helping Hand does in the community is vital to the neediest people in society and mirrors BI-LO’s charitable philosophy,” said Greg Esper, manager of the North Myrtle Beach BiLo. “We are dedicated to helping in the areas of education, children and hunger relief and are honored to be a part of this event.”

Peanut butter donations to food banks have decreased due to the recent salmonella outbreak.  According to food bank officials from the Lowcountry Food Bank, peanut butter in the jar has not been affected by the contamination.

Volunteers will be on hand to log in and weigh the donations. They will also be selling peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the proceeds to benefit NSHH.  Easy 105.9 will be broadcasting live, and peanut butter and jelly trivia contests will be taking place.

“We’re confident our listeners will rally around this great event,” said Matt Sedota, general manager of Easy 105.9.  “It’s a quick, simple, and effective way to support Helping Hand, and for those of us that love a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich, it is a wonderful idea!”

Prior to April 3 and 4, donations can be dropped off at the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce or the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic and Fitness Center.  Those donations will be delivered to BiLo during the world record attempt.

“Once we set the record, we would like for other food banks to exceed the record,” said Owens.  “That would mean that another food bank is benefitting tremendously.”

NSHH is a United Way agency and is funded by 10 North Strand area churches.  For more information about NSHH or this event, please call 843-399-0862.