Peanut Proud and the Georgia Peanut Commission loaded 20 pallets (28,800 jars) of peanut butter May 2 to send to families affected by the recent tornado disasters in Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama.

Donations were made by Kroger, American Blanching and Peanut Proud. An additional truckload is scheduled to ship the week of May 5.

"I want to thank everyone in the peanut industry for the great support given to this effort and Peanut Proud," said Gregg Grimsley Peanut Proud president. "It's very gratifying to see the amount of support from the people who work in the industry."

The Georgia Peanut Commission donated approximately 7,500 packs of roasted Georgia peanuts towards this project to assist families in Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama who have been devastated by the tornadoes. GPC chairman, Armond Morris says GPC was happy to assist in the donation.

"On behalf of the peanut farmers in the state of Georgia, we are glad to take part in the donation to help families affected by the tornado disasters," says Morris. "Peanuts and peanut butter are a great food source during a situation such as this; refrigeration and cooking are not required and it provides a life-sustaining nutritional benefit."

The peanut industry is working with the Arkansas Peanut Growers Association, the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association, as well as the Alabama Peanut Producers Association to deliver the peanut products to distribution centers in the areas affected.

Peanut Proud is the humanitarian relief organization of the U.S. peanut industry. Individuals wanting to make a donation to Peanut Proud for humanitarian efforts may do so online or send their check made payable to "Peanut Proud" and mail to P.O. Box 446, Blakely, Georgia, 39823.