Students at Taylor County Elementary School and Perry Primary School recently joined forces for a peanut butter drive organized

Group of 14 children lined up for picture in a classroom. — Ms. Haley Vann’s Class
Perry Primary School

by the Taylor County Extension Service, collecting an impressive 2,064 jars of peanut butter to benefit the Weekend Food Backpack Program. With more than 100 additional jars donated by community members, the countywide effort resulted in a collection of more than 2,164 jars of peanut butter to help local children and families facing food insecurity.

Taylor County Elementary School led the effort with 1,339 jars, while Perry Primary School contributed 725 jars. These donations will support the Weekend Food Backpack Program, sponsored by the Taylor County Extension Service, which provides weekly food assistance to children and families in need through Taylor County public schools. The program helps bridge the gap for students who may not have consistent access to nutritious meals over the weekend when school meals are unavailable.

Recognizing Outstanding Student and Classroom Contributions

Group of school aged children lined up for photo in a classroom — Ms. Danika Loyed’s Class Taylor County Elementary School

Several classrooms earned special recognition for their exceptional participation and generosity.

At Perry Primary School, Mrs. Haley Vann’s class collected an outstanding 276 jars, earning first place at their school.

At Taylor County Elementary School, Mrs. Danika Loyed’s and Mrs. Caitlin Weatherly’s classes tied for first place, with each classroom collecting an impressive 548 jars.

School aged children lined up for photo in a classroom. — Ms. Caitlyn Weatherly’s Class
Taylor County Elementary School

Special recognition also goes to Ms. Nadine Perry’s self-contained classroom, where just eight students worked together to collect 71 jars. Their remarkable effort demonstrated that even a small group of students can make a significant difference when they work toward a common goal.

Turning Community Service Into a Learning Opportunity

The peanut butter drive also created opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.

Mrs. Loyed incorporated the large stacks of donated peanut butter jars into math activities for her students. Throughout the drive, students used their collections to solve practical math problems, transforming a community service project into an engaging educational experience.

This creative approach reinforced important math skills while helping students recognize the impact of their efforts. By connecting academic lessons with community service, students gained a greater understanding of how learning can be applied beyond the classroom.

A Community United Against Childhood Hunger

School aged children lined up for a classroom — Ms. Nadine Perry’s Class
Taylor County Elementary School

The success of the peanut butter drive extended beyond the participating schools. Individuals throughout Taylor County contributed more than 100 additional jars, demonstrating the generosity and compassion of community members committed to helping local children.

Every contribution, whether from an individual student, an entire classroom, or a community member, helped strengthen the Weekend Food Backpack Program and its mission to address childhood hunger.

The drive also provided an important lesson in kindness, teamwork, and community responsibility. Students experienced firsthand how small acts of generosity, when combined, can create a meaningful and lasting impact.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Taylor County

The Taylor County Extension Service extends its sincere appreciation to the students, teachers, school administrators, school staff, families, and community members who made this year’s peanut butter drive such a tremendous success.

Their dedication and generosity will help stock the Weekend Food Backpack Program, providing much-needed food assistance to children and families throughout Taylor County.

Beyond the impressive collection totals, this effort represents something even greater: a community that recognizes a need and comes together to make a difference.

Every jar collected represents more than a food donation. It represents kindness, compassion, and a shared commitment to ensuring that children in our community have food on their tables.

Thanks to the hard work of our students and the generosity of Taylor County residents, more than 2,164 jars of peanut butter will help support local children through the Weekend Food Backpack Program.

Together, Taylor County continues to demonstrate that a caring community can make a lasting difference, one jar at a time.

Taylor County

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