Wakulla 4-H Hurricane Relief Efforts

A few weeks ago, members of Wakulla 4-H were preparing to win the 2018 Peanut Butter Challenge. After October 10, Wakulla 4-H members jumped into hurricane

relief efforts and the annual peanut butter collection was replaced by efforts to collect and distribute hurricane relief supplies.

Wakulla 4-H, along with other 4-H groups in the Northwest Florida UF/IFAS Extension District, has participated in the Peanut Butter Challenge since 2012. This effort was established to help ensure area residents from Jefferson to Escambia County could stock their pantries with a nutritious protein source appealing to the palates of adults and children alike.

In Times of Crisis

In times of crisis, such as in the aftermath of a major hurricane, peanut butter is one of the most requested food items because it is nutritious, filling, and palate-pleasing to all ages with the added advantage it requires neither refrigeration nor water for preparation. For Wakulla 4-H members, it made perfect sense to partner with Peanut Proud and the Florida Peanut Federation to accept a new challenge after the hurricane of distributing 36,000 jars of donated peanut butter to hurricane devastated counties.

 

Requesting the Communities Help

Wakulla 4-H Advisory Council Board Chair Greg James requested the community help meet a revised 2018 Peanut Butter Challenge. This effort took on new meaning, and a new name, after the storm — becoming “Peanut Butter for the Panhandle.” (#PB4Panhandle)

James said, “The 4-H vision is to create positive change in youth, families and our community. There are many youth and families in our community and surrounding areas that don’t know what their next meal will look like, when it will come or where it will come from,” he said “4-H teaches its youth members to ‘Learn by Doing’ and to ‘Make the Best Better’ so we need our community’s help, your help, to demonstrate to our youth what that looks like. With your help, 4-H is able to improve the lives of families who are hungry by putting jars of peanut butter into the hands with the greatest need after Hurricane Michael.”

Supporting The Long Term Recovery

 

 

 

 

 

In the two weeks since Hurricane Michael slammed into the Panhandle along Florida’s northern Gulf Coast, the

outpouring of aid and support has matched the intensity of the storm’s unfathomable destruction responding with boundless generosity and material support.

Wakulla 4-H Inspired to Move Beyond Efforts

 

With this spirit in mind, the members of

Wakulla 4-H were inspired to move beyond efforts to provide immediate aid-supplies and transitioned to supporting the long term recovery of their neighbors to the west with plans to stock food banks and collect school supplies to replace items lost to the storm.

On Saturday, more than two dozen volunteer drivers joined the #PB4Panhandle effort. Volunteers loaded drivers with peanut butter to be delivered at food banks and other long term distribution sites in nine counties working to recover from Hurricane Michael.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Florida Peanut Federation Link

 

To volunteer with hurricane relief or other Wakulla 4-H programs, please call 850-926-3931 or email r.pienta@ufl.edu.