The National Peanut Board has voted unanimously to donate $10,000 to support Peanut Proud’s efforts to help areas in Alabama and Mississippi devastated by recent tornados. Peanut Proud, a peanut industry 501(c)(3) group, is organizing the delivery of peanut butter and bottled water to church shelters and feeding distribution centers in Alabama and Mississippi for victims of the recent storms. 



“As a resident of Alabama, I’ve seen firsthand the terrible destruction and loss these storms have caused,” said NPB Chairman George Jeffcoat. “This disaster happened in the backyard of peanut country and the National Peanut Board is proud to support the industry-wide effort to respond to this crisis with essentials like peanut butter and bottled water.” 
A staple in disaster relief, peanut butter is packed with nutrition, including sustaining protein, and does not require refrigeration.

The first truckload of peanut butter and bottled water was expected to be delivered for distribution in Smithville, Miss. on Thursday, May 5, and will move on to deliver items to Hamilton, Miss. and Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Peanut Proud is also working to fill more than 1,000 backpacks with peanut products and school supplies for schoolchildren in Smithville and Hackleburg, Ala., two areas hardest hit by the tornados.



NPB Mississippi delegate Don Self said, “Smithville is just 20 miles from my house and I’ve never seen anything like the complete devastation there. I’m proud of the efforts and compassion of my fellow National Peanut Board members and the peanut industry to help provide peanut butter and backpacks filled with supplies for the children.” 



Early Trucking and Southern Ag Carriers have donated transportation to the project. Several other companies and organizations have also made donations. 



Tax-deductible charitable contributions to this project can be made to: Peanut Proud Inc, P.O. Box 624, Blakely, Ga. 39823, Contribution for: Project Giving Back.