Want to help Hannibal Alliance for Youth Success? Peanut butter donations always needed

September 5, 2024 | By Muddy River News

From left, Kendra Szarka, principal at the Early Childhood Center, and Whitney Holliday, director of Parents as Teachers and Buddy Pack coordinator, work at the HAYS Back to School Fair in August. Thirty-six organizations provided school supplies to more than 500 Hannibal students, and vendor fees supported the HAYS program. | Photo courtesy of United Way of the Mark Twain Area

HANNIBAL, Mo. — If you ask leadership at HAYS (Hannibal Alliance for Youth Success) how to help the program, they usually respond with two words.

Peanut butter.

“It is the most expensive item we pack, but it’s also rich in protein and easy for kids to open and make sandwiches themselves,” Andrea Campbell, director of communication at the Hannibal Public School District, said in a press release. “The unopened jar also protects anyone who might have peanut allergies.”

HAYS, a program through the Hannibal Public School District, hands out Buddy Packs to more than 400 students weekly. HAYS relies on grants, funding from organizations like the United Way of the Mark Twain Area and the Riedel Foundation, and help from the community.

Corey Bennett, principal at Stowell Elementary and vice president of the HAYS program, said the community is typically great at pulling together peanut butter donations. Peanut butter of all sizes and kinds is accepted daily at the Hannibal Board of Education, 4650 McMasters Avenue.

“Various organizations have done peanut butter drives as a workplace campaign,” Bennett said. “General Mills is great about offering incentives such as free admission to sporting events for peanut butter donations.”

There are other ways to help as well.

HAYS offers a mentoring program connecting students to a trusted community member who comes into the school and offers one-on-one support and guidance. Mentors usually dedicate about 45 minutes weekly to a student. These relationships often span from elementary school to graduation and beyond. Anyone interested in mentoring should contact the Hannibal Public School District.

From helping with gas and food cards during medical emergencies, prescriptions or unmet needs after other resources have been exhausted, Helping Hands provides for Hannibal families. Community donations and staff contributions support the Helping Hands fund. It helps HAYS support students and families when they face unexpected challenges.

“Helping Hands addresses basic needs that, if unmet, would prevent students from focusing on their education,” Campbell said.

Campbell said contributing to Helping Hands is as easy as contacting the Hannibal Board of Education with specific ideas on how to help or on how to make monetary or other donations.

To help with any HAYS program, contact the Hannibal Board of Education at 573-221-1258 or email Campbell at acampbell@hannibal60.net.