Busey Bank Mahomet is accepting peanut butter donations for the Give Me Five backpack program at Lincoln Trail Elementary.
Mahomet area girl scouts, boy scouts and 4-H groups are also donating peanut butter to the program.
The privately-funded Give Me Five backpack program began in 2013 to supply needy Lincoln Trail students with a bag of food to take home for 34 weeks. Two weeks out of the month, students receive peanut butter.
While only 21 students are registered at this time, the Give Me Five program continues to take applications. The registration process will be reviewed at the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year.
Depending on where the peanut butter is purchased, nearly 40 percent of the week’s $5 budget can be spent on the item. The area’s cheapest peanut butter can be found at Aldi or Ruler Foods for $1.89 per 16 oz. jar.
Nearly $6,800 has been donated to the Give Me Five program in its first year. Organizers hope to raise enough funds for three years so the program is financially stable. Beef jerky, macaroni and cheese, shelf stable milk and apples were also donated to the program.
“When people donate items, it allows us to give more food weekly because our budget is five dollars,” organizer Lori Larson said. “That’s how we promoted it, that’s how we raised our money for it, and we want to stay true to our word.”
The backpack program costs $4,400 to run each year. Organizers are looking into the possibility of extending the program year-round through pick-up locations or delivery during summer months.
Tax-deductible financial contributions can be made at Lincoln Trail Elementary.
