Lisa Bell, Central Floridian Of The Week
A Lake County teenager has launched an initiative to stamp out hunger in the area, and her efforts have inspired many others in the county to pitch in with peanut butter.
Jennifer Sullivan, 16, said it all started when she was looking to complete some community service hours, but nearly two years and thousands of jars later, her project has done more than getting her credit.
"As a young person, I didn't really know what I could do, but then I remembered that at my church, we used to collect peanut butter," Sullivan said.
Sullivan started an initiative called Peanut Butter POP -- People Overcoming the Problem of Hunger -- project.
Since starting the project, the teen has helped collect more than 26,000 jars of peanut butter.
Food banks like Crisis Closet in Tavares helped Sullivan get her donations out to those in need.
Crisis Closet said peanut butter is a much-needed item in their pantry, but most of the time, it's tough to keep it stock because of its cost.
Jennifer may have started this initiative, but many others have jumped on the bandwagon. From Lake County schools to retailers like Publix supermarkets, even local organizations like the YMCA have pitched in peanut butter for her cause.
"We can easily, at the Y, with our daily traffic, help collect some peanut butter to help her cause," said Tom Breck, executive director of the Golden Triangle YMCA in Tavares.
The Golden Triangle YMCA collected more than 100 jars last week, and hope to get even more donations soon.
"We think it's awesome," Breck said. "It's just another way for the Y to help the community, and with as much walk-in traffic as we get, we can really make a difference,"
But it all started with Sullivan, who says peanut butter is just the first step to lending her helping hand in the area.
"You're never too young to make a difference in your community," Sullivan said.
Sullivan has already collected more than 400 jars for this year's Peanut Butter POP campaign, and that is why she is News 13's Central Floridian of the Week.