TIFTON — For more than two years, the distinctive lime green Peanut Butter and Jesus vans have been hitting the streets every Saturday, distributing sandwiches to hungry kids.

With the recent school closures in response to COVID-19, the group of volunteers and church member who run it have expanded to weekdays.

“We felt like that was a need that we could help with,” said Pineview Holiness Baptist Church Pastor Harvey Morgon.

Peanut Butter and Jesus started when Morgon was driving through Lakeland and saw lime green vans with Peanut Butter & Jesus printed on the side, part of a previous effort to distribute sandwiches in Lanier County.

“I had been praying about something we could do,” Morgon said. “We really couldn’t afford a big food pantry. We started out here, the first Saturday we did this, we had about 104 sandwiches.”

That’s grown to 1,600 sandwiches every Saturday.

“And the need is great, much greater than what we could do. It’d be great if a couple other organizations could step in other parts of the county we can’t reach.”

Tony McBrayer, one of the organizers, estimates that they’re about to pass 150,000 total sandwiches.

Volunteers are adding to that number every day, now. The group made and distributed around 500 sandwiches on both Monday and Tuesday. Along with the sandwich, each bag contains snacks and a drink.

“We’re trying to do about 500 every day,” said Morgon. “It’s fairly expensive, but the Lord has blessed us with volunteers and donations.”

Morgan and McBrayer both emphasize that they’re not trying to get in the way of the meal plan that the Tift County School Nutrition Program has put in place (Editor’s Note: See Sidebar).

“I don’t want anyone to think we’re trying to usurp them or their efforts,” said McBrayer. “They came up with a great plan. We’re not trying to interfere or overlap with them.”

“We’re trying to fill in the gaps,” said Morgon. “We’re not trying to step on anybody.”

Volunteers plan to meet up every morning this week at 8 a.m., and then head out with sandwiches in tow between 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

“And next week, God willing,” said Morgon.

To donate supplies, contact Tony McBrayer at 229-392-7774. Along with bread and peanut butter, they’re accepting other food donations, such as chips, apples, fruit, snacks and Hug drinks. A recent Boston butt donation has allowed them to make pulled pork sandwiches as well.

To make a monetary donation, send a check made out to Peanut Butter and Jesus to Tony McBrayer, 91 Springhill Church Road, Tifton, Ga 31793.

To volunteer, show up to Pineview Holiness Baptist Church, 4872 Union Church Road, at 8 a.m., Monday through Saturday.

Sidebar:

School nutrition program provides lunches

Staff reports

TIFTON — The Tift County School Nutrition Program will be providing meals for students each weekday during the school closure. Lunches are available at no cost to children under the age of 18.  No adults can be served. Following is a list of locations and times along with the Tift County Schools Bus # that will provide the meals.

Students will receive a lunch as well as items that will keep for breakfast the following morning.

Bus #098

11-11:20 a.m. Puckett Park

11:30-11:50 a.m. Brookfield Mews

Noon-12:20 p.m. Pine Hill Trailer Park

Bus #099

11-11:20 a.m. Belmont and 6th St

11:30-11:50 a.m. New River Flea Market

Noon-12:20 p.m. Cotton Point Trailer Park

Bus #151

11-11:20 a.m. Bowling Alley

11:30-11:50 a.m.Good Neighbor Grocery

Noon-12:20 p.m. Post Office in Chula

Bus #181

11-11:20 a.m. Ponder Park Omega

11:30-11:50 a.m. Whispering Pines Trailer Park

Noon-12:20 p.m. Park in Ty Ty

Bus #167

11-11:20 a.m. Potter’s House Parking Lot

11:30-11:50 a.m. Tift Ave. across from Burger King

Noon-12:20 p.m. Somerset Apartments

12:30-12:50 p.m. Fulwood Park

Bus #1110

11:00-11:20 a.m. Dixie Apartments

11:30-11:50 a.m. Harley Davidson Area Neighborhood

Noon-12:20 p.m. Georgetown

12:30-12:50 p.m. Old Omega Rd Apartments, Peterson Apartments

Walk Up Sites: (11 a.m. — 1 p.m.)

Charles Spencer Elementary

G O Bailey Elementary

Matt Wilson Elementary

J T Reddick Elementary

Omega Elementary

Puckett Park

Peterson Apartments

Dees Apartments

Clarification: Tony McBrayer’s phone number has been corrected.