Last week, the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South took a simple idea - one jar of peanut butter - and turned it into a powerful act of community care.
In partnership with United Way Niagara , our Club purchased nearly 5,200 lbs, or 2,352 jars, of peanut butter and distributed to food banks, shelters, and community programs across the region. On Thursday, December 4, volunteers, partners, and service agencies gathered at the Community Care warehouse on Martindale Rd, where pallets of peanut butter were prepared for pick-up or delivery to organizations serving families facing food insecurity.
What began as a logistical effort quickly became a reminder of just how many people in Niagara are struggling to access basic, nutritious food.
According to the latest Who’s Hungry report, food bank use across Ontario has risen by more than 40% in just one year - a trend echoed locally as Niagara agencies report record demand for support. Many families visiting food banks today are doing so for the first time.
“Peanut butter may be simple, but its impact is anything but,” says Ashleigh Doyle, Director of Public Image for the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South. “With grocery prices putting basic proteins out of reach for many families, a single jar becomes a source of nutrition, comfort, and choice. It’s also a great shelf-stable option for food banks, community pantries, and meal programs alike.”
Why Peanut Butter?
For agencies supporting families in crisis, peanut butter is one of the most requested items. It’s nutrient-dense, rich in protein and healthy fats, and provides long-lasting energy. Its long shelf life means it can be stored and distributed year-round, making it both practical and impactful for organizations trying to meet rising need.
This donation supported a wide network of local partners, including:
- Feed Niagara affiliates (Community Care of St. Catharines & Thorold, Community Care of West Niagara, Grimsby Benevolent Fund, The Hope Centre, Pelham Cares, Project Share, Port Cares, The Salvation Army Fort Erie, West Lincoln Community Care and Newark Neighbours)
- Village of Hope
- Holy Trinity Welland meal program
- Westview Centre4Women
- Gillian's Place
- Niagara Regional Native Centre
- Southridge Shelter
- St. Vincent de Paul St. Alfred’s
- The Soup Kitchen
- Service 4 Humanity
- St. George's Anglican meal program
A Special Thanks to Community Care St. Catharines
This initiative would not have been possible without the generous support of Betty-Lou Souter and Community Care, St. Catharines & Thorold. Community Care stepped forward as a crucial partner - offering their warehouse space, equipment, and staff to help safely and efficiently manage the distribution.
Instead of manually unloading and sorting thousands of pounds of product, the Club was able to rely on CCST's experienced staff and proper infrastructure, ensuring that every jar reached its destination swiftly and safely. Community Care acted on behalf of Feed Niagara agencies, demonstrating once again their leadership, collaboration, and deep commitment to supporting families across the region.
Rotary’s Commitment to Community
This initiative is part of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South’s long-standing commitment to improving the lives of people across Niagara. Fighting hunger, supporting youth and families, and strengthening community well-being are core to the Club’s mission - values shared by each organization that helped bring this effort to life.
As the holiday season unfolds and demand at food banks continues to rise, the Club hopes this simple act inspires others to support local agencies in any way they can.
Sometimes kindness looks like a warm meal, a shared smile - or, in this case, a jar of peanut butter.