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NATCHEZ – As of Monday morning, Merit Health Natchez was less than 340 jars of peanut butter away from reaching goal in its second annual effort to help fight hunger in Adams County.

The hospital has collected 1,163 jars of peanut butter toward its 1,500-jar goal. And with the clock ticking toward the drive’s end at midnight, organizers are calling on the community to help.

“We only need 337 jars to reach our community goal of 1,500 jars,” the hospital said an email appeal. “Please consider a monetary donation if that is easier (we will grab the peanut butter).”

For anyone making a donation of peanut butter (in a plastic jar only), drop off is just easy. “The donation is just inside the front entrance, so pull up under the canopy and drop off,” the email reads.

Merit Health Natchez and other CHS-affiliated hospitals are gathering jars of peanut butter — one of the least donated items given to food banks across the U.S., though it is nutritious, high-protein and shelf-stable – to combat hunger in local communities.

Local donations go to the Natchez Stewpot, First Assembly of God and Pilgrim Baptist church’s food banks.

Donations must be in plastic jars — no glass.