NEW HOPE, Ala. — Families in need picked up groceries Friday in New Hope to help get through winter break, thanks to a giveaway led by the Peanut Butter and Jelly Squad — a volunteer group that started in Madison County and has since grown to serve families across the Tennessee Valley.
Tables of groceries and bags upon bags lined the distribution area as families received extra support during the extended school break. The giveaway was designed to help students who rely on free or reduced lunch during the school year and now must find additional meals at home over the 18-day break.
“It’s been as long as 20 days before, but it is fairly long when you’re talking about two additional meals a day for however many children you have,” said Ciera Elledge, founder of the Peanut Butter and Jelly Squad. “If your kids are anything like mine, they snack all day long, and when they’re home, they’re constantly hungry.”…