Spreading the Love: Newport Avenue Market, Kendall Auto Group collect 9,700 jars of peanut butter for NeighborImpact

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Some things are better together: peanut butter and jelly, peanut butter and chocolate…and peanut butter and children. It’s true: for growing bodies, peanut butter provides a whopping eight grams of protein per serving and acts as the main building block for strong muscles, bones and immune systems.

But for students facing food insecurity, separated from reliable, low-/no-cost school-year meal programs, summer can be a time of hunger. Further, area food banks regularly run low on this precious and nutritious commodity.

Enter Newport Avenue Market and Kendall Auto Group, who stirred up a plan to blow the lid off their annual peanut butter donations to NeighborImpact—Central Oregon’s longtime nonprofit that supports neighbors in need of food, housing and other resources. An area-wide call to action mobilized generous shoppers and Kendall Auto Group patrons, and organizers collected a remarkable 9,700 jars of golden goodness—over 1,500 more containers than last year which, frankly, is just…nuts. A lot of nuts.

“No one wants to think of kids going hungry, especially during summertime, when life should be most carefree. But the old adage about many hands making light work is true; coming together, we were able to accomplish even more,” said Lauren G.D. Redman, CEO & President, Newport Avenue Market.

“Having a dedicated, community-minded partner like Kendall Auto Group, plus many mission-focused neighbors, helped us make this enormous donation of a much-needed commodity. We’re always grateful to be a part of this annual event and are already planning on how to break the 10,000-jar mark next year.” 

Some might say that’s spreading it on a little thick, but Redman and her community cohorts are committed to ensuring the sweetness of summer for area students who need it most—one sandwich at a time.

About Newport Ave. Market

Located on the west end of beautiful Bend, Oregon, and locally owned since 1976, Newport Ave. Market serves as the food hub of Central Oregon, offering shoppers both mainstream and specialty grocery options, all in a vibrant environment. Their expansive selection of high-quality, in-demand food and beverage items keeps shoppers on their toes. The store employs over 180 “internal foodies,” and is 100% employee owned. With an atmosphere where people in the community come together for all things food, not to mention a selection of over 500 brews to choose from, Newport Avenue Market has become the food hub of Central Oregon. For more information about Newport Avenue Market, please call 541-382-3940 or visit www.newportavemarket.com.

Life is Short. Eat Good Food.

About Kendall Auto Group

Our mission at Kendall Auto Oregon is simple: To deliver an unrivaled customer experience. Doing the right thing means more than selling and servicing vehicles. Our progressive attitude means being exceptional stewards of the communities we operate in and the environment. It means going above and beyond daily for the people who mean so much to us–our customers. For over 80 years, Kendall has been giving back hundreds of thousands of dollars to local charities and organizations supporting families, children, and education. Through our Kendall Cares program, we donate and invest in the communities we serve by supporting various causes like youth development and health care for the underserved. We care about what you care about. Visit https://www.kendallautooregon.com/ for more information.

About NeighborImpact

NeighborImpact is a private non-profit governed by a board of directors drawn from across the community. Since 1985, NeighborImpact has led the region in developing solutions and bringing resources to Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. We help meet the basic needs of Central Oregonians, build economic security, and create a community where everyone thrives. NeighborImpact receives federal, state, and local grants, foundation grants, and donations from individuals and businesses in our community. To learn more about NeighborImpact please visit www.neighborimpact.org.