Thank You, Polk County!
The 2025 Annual Peanut Butter Challenge was an incredible success! This year, our community came together in a big way to fight hunger and support families across Polk County. Every jar donated represents hope, nourishment, and care for those who need it most.
Totals Are In!
We have our final count, and the results are outstanding! In 2024, Polk County collected 977 jars of Peanut Butter weighing 1,480 pounds, but in 2025, we more than doubled that amount with 1,844 jars totaling 2,661 pounds, an impressive 89% increase in jars and nearly 80% more in weight. Altogether, that’s 42,599 ounces of peanut butter, plus a sweet bonus of 8 jars of grape jelly (13.75 lbs.). This incredible growth shows how powerful community efforts can be when we work together.
A Story of Determination: London’s Birthday Wish
One of the most inspiring moments of this year’s challenge came from London, a now ten-year-old community hero who decided to turn her birthday into an opportunity to help others. Instead of asking for gifts, London set a personal goal to collect peanut butter for those in need. This year, her motivation was deeply personal. “I’m collecting peanut butter in honor of my library friend Mrs. Judy, who passed away,” London shared. “She helped me get a bunch of jars last year, so this year I wanted to keep her memory alive.” This year, London didn’t just meet her goal, she exceeded expectations by raising 203 jars of peanut butter (more than three times her total from last year), proving that generosity grows when shared.
London’s efforts remind us that one person’s determination can spark incredible change. Her story is a powerful example of how compassion and creativity can make a real difference in our community. Check out this blog to read more about her story: A Birthday Wish to End Hunger.
Community Impact
All peanut butter collected during the challenge was distributed to Polk County’s School Food Pantries, ensuring that students and their families have access to nutritious, protein-rich food. These pantries play a vital role in supporting food security for children in our community.
Thanks to your generosity, we were able to make a real difference. Brittanie Ramsey, with Polk County Public School’s Community Partnership & Engagement team, shared this heartfelt message:
“The Peanut Butter Challenge wasn’t just a donation drive, it made an impact in our schools and the families we serve. Seeing the smiles when we arrived reminded us that generosity truly makes a difference. We are so grateful for a community that shows up in such a big way.”
Those Who Made It Possible
Thank you so much to everyone who collected and donated peanut butter for Polk County’s School Food Pantries. Your generosity will impact lives across Polk County. Thank you for investing in our community, our youth, and promoting a Florida-grown crop!
We couldn’t have done this without the incredible support of our collection partners. Donations were accepted by:
- Polk County Sheriff’s Office
- Sheriff Grady Judd, Lekeyia Lott, Gianirys Soto Sierra, Carla Candiotty, Annerys Abreu, & Carrie Horstman.
- Polk County Public School’s Community Partnership & Engagement Team
- Brittanie Ramsey, Reba Coil, Ashley Cerjan, Crystal Davis, & Erica Morse.
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Haines City Library Peanut Butter Donations – Credit UF/IFAS Extension Polk County - Lakeland Public Library Main
- Haines City Public Library
- Bartow Public Library
- Lake Wales Public Library
- Floridacentral Credit Union
(Click here to learn more about the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Peanut Butter Challenge.)
Join the Fun Next Year
Did you miss out on this year’s Peanut Butter Challenge? Don’t worry, the annual event will be back in 2026! It’s a simple yet impactful way to make a difference while celebrating a Florida-grown crop.
To stay updated on events like the Peanut Butter Challenge, follow UF/IFAS Extension Polk County on Facebook: @PolkExtension or on Instagram: @ufpolkextension. For more information about the challenge, visit go.ufl.edu/pbc.
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