MountainView launches ‘Jars of Love’ peanut butter drive to support Casa de Peregrinos
MountainView Regional Medical Center has launched its fourth annual Jars of Love peanut butter drive to support Casa de Peregrinos and families facing food insecurity in Doña Ana County.
Monthlong campaign collects peanut butter donations to help families facing food insecurity across Doña Ana County
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - MountainView Regional Medical Center has launched its fourth annual “Jars of Love” peanut butter drive, collecting peanut butter and other nut butters throughout March to help families facing food insecurity across Doña Ana County.
The drive began March 1 and will continue through March 31. Donations will benefit families served by the Casa de Peregrinos Emergency Food Program in Las Cruces and throughout the county.
MountainView employees and community members participate in the campaign each year. Organizers reported that the 2025 drive collected 4,703 jars of peanut butter, and they hope to exceed that total this year.
“Every year, MountainView makes it a priority to give back to our community, and Jars of Love is one of our favorite ways to show that we care,” said Patrick Shannon, CEO of MountainView Regional Medical Center. “Casa de Peregrinos is working to address hunger in our area, and we are proud to support their efforts one jar of peanut butter at a time.”
Casa de Peregrinos distributes food to thousands of families in the region each year and says peanut butter remains one of the most valuable items food banks can provide.
“Jars of Love has become a favorite event for this community, bringing in thousands of jars of peanut butter for us to distribute to families in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County,” said Lorenzo Alba Jr., executive director of Casa de Peregrinos. “Peanut butter is a great source of protein, especially for families with children, and we’re grateful for the support MountainView shows for our mission.”
According to Casa de Peregrinos, nearly one in six residents in the region experiences food insecurity. Peanut butter is particularly useful for food banks because it is nutrient-dense and shelf-stable, making it easy for families to incorporate into everyday meals.
Despite those advantages, the organization says peanut butter is often in short supply at food banks, making community donation drives especially important.
Community members can donate plastic jars of peanut butter at the MountainView hospital lobby or at Walmart locations throughout Las Cruces. Donations can also be made online at casadeperegrinos.org.
Local businesses can also participate by organizing peanut butter collections among employees and customers. Organizers will pick up donations at participating businesses at the end of the month.
For more information about participating in the drive, contact Stephanie Blackwood-Guadian at Stephanie_blackwood@mountainviewregional.com.
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