Laredo Medical Center’s Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive Collects 10,266 Jars of Peanut Butter for South Texas Food Bank

4/21/2026

To help address hunger in Laredo and several surrounding communities, Laredo Medical Center recently announced a record-breaking donation of more than 10,000 jars of peanut butter to the South Texas Food Bank.

All of that peanut butter was donated by Laredo Medical Center employees, medical staff, and volunteers, as well as by students, businesses, first responders and other generous individuals from the area, during the hospital’s fourth annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive.

Hospital employees unveiled the results of their peanut butter drive in a coordinated and visually striking reveal, announcing a total of 10,266 jars collected. During the moment, staff members held large, five-foot cutouts shaped like peanut butter jars, each initially displaying a question mark. On cue, the cutouts were flipped simultaneously, revealing the numerals that together formed the final count. The dramatic presentation underscored both the scale of the donation effort and the collective enthusiasm behind the campaign.

Laredo Medical Center has exceeded its goal for four straight years, collecting 1,817 jars in 2023 (1,000 jars was the goal), 3,529 jars in 2024 (2,100 was the goal) and 7,077 jars in 2025 (4,000 was the goal). This year’s goal was to collect 10,000 jars.

The top three hospital departments with the largest donations of peanut butter jars were recognized with the Jars of Love Champion awards. The winners include first place- Unit 5C with 1,027 jars, second place- ICU/1E with 939 jars, and third place- NICU/Pediatrics with 810 jars.

The hospital also presented the Golden Jar Champion awards to the top community donors. Antonio Gonzalez Middle School was recognized as the Top School with their donation of 500 peanut butter jars. Trashco Inc. and owner Jerry Resendez received the Top Business award for their donation of 400 jars. The Top First Responder award was given to the Laredo Fire Department and its cadets and staff in the EMS and Fire training divisions for their donation of 404 jars.

Additionally, a symbolic check for $4,078.71 was presented to the South Texas Food Bank, representing monetary donations made by hospital employees, students, and community supporters, as well as a series of hospital-led fundraising events.

The hospital also recognized support from four-time donors Laredo Heat Soccer Club and the Auxiliary to Laredo Medical Center. Other community donors included: Trautmann Middle School, Zapata High School, Skyline EMS Inc. from Hebbronville, Dr. Benson Huang, the University of Texas Health Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Laredo, We Got Your Back, Digni Care Ambulance, Gateway Ambulance, Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center, and many others from the community.

Jorge Leal, FACHE, chief executive officer of Laredo Medical Center, said that food insecurity can have a profound impact on a person’s overall health and wellbeing, affecting not just physical health but also mental and emotional resilience.

“At Laredo Medical Center, we recognize that addressing hunger is critical to improving the health of our community. I am incredibly proud of our team and the unwavering support from the community, whose kindness and generosity have made a real difference in the lives of those in need,” said Leal. “Since the inception of the peanut butter drive in 2023, the outpouring of support has been nothing short of spectacular, surpassing donation goals for four consecutive years. This collective effort truly reflects the spirit of compassion that defines our community.”

According to Alma Boubel, Executive Director of the South Texas Food Bank, 1 in 6 people and 1 in 4 children in Laredo and surrounding communities, struggle to put food on the table. The food bank serves eight South Texas counties, including Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Val Verde, Maverick, Kinney, Dimmit and Starr.

Peanut butter is one of the most requested items for food banks because it is highly nutritious and has a long shelf life. Unfortunately, many food banks in America report it is also one of the least donated food items. Other foods needed by food banks include any non-perishables such as canned or dry beans, canned vegetables, grains, cereal, canned fruits, or any type of healthy snacks.

“We are committed to fighting hunger in the South Texas area but we cannot do it alone,” said Alma Boubel. "We are very grateful to Laredo Medical Center for thinking of our mission and our neighbors. It means a lot to us, but especially to our neighbors who are the beneficiaries of this great effort.”

Food drives are one of the ways that the community can help fight hunger. Other ways include making a monetary donation or volunteering. For every dollar donated, 10 meals will be provided to individuals in need of food assistance. Additionally, volunteering as an individual or organizing an employee volunteer team is another way to get involved. The South Texas Food Bank’s programs require over 10,000 bags to be packed monthly, and with the support of the community the food bank can reach those numbers quickly and efficiently.

For more information on how to join the fight against food insecurity, visit www.southtexasfoodbank.org.

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