TIFTON, Ga.– In a remarkable response to the devastation across the Southeast from the recent tornadoes and flooding, the U.S. peanut industry has come together to show their concern and to offer their support in the way they can be most useful – by sending truckloads of peanut butter, peanuts and water to families in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. The Georgia Peanut Commission is contributing $5,000 towards the project, “Giving Back” which is coordinated by Peanut Proud. To date the total value of donations in cash, peanut butter product, supplies and trucking has reached $132,000.

“We as peanut farmers in the state of Georgia are excited to be taking part in the donation because of the nutritional value of peanuts,” says Armond Morris, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission. “Peanut butter is the perfect food in a situation like this since it does not have to be refrigerated, does not require cooking, and delivers a nutritional punch that is life-sustaining.”

On Tuesday, May 17, Georgia Peanut Commission staff will help with the delivery of peanut butter and peanuts to families in Ringgold and Griffin, Ga. Also, GPC will deliver 700 backpacks for Catoosa County School students that have been filled with a variety of products including Jif® To Go Peanut Butter, Georgia peanuts, granola bars, composition notebooks, pencils, crayons, coloring books and more.

Donations are still being accepted for the Peanut Proud project: “Giving Back.” Anyone interested in donating to this effort can send tax deductible contributions to: Peanut Proud Inc., P.O. Box 446, Blakely Ga., 39823 Make checks payable to: “Peanut Proud” and note “Project: Giving Back.” For additional information on the project, visit www.gapeanuts.com.