Food pantries have long known the impact peanut butter can have. It's a prized addition to their shelves.

For the past three years, State Farm employees have stepped up to help meet that need. In February, more than 33,500 pounds of peanut butter were donated at our hubs and operations centers. The total surpassed last year’s total by more than 10,000 pounds.

Local organizations in several locations across the country received donations in early March.

Not too long after, COVID-19 shuttered our offices and much of the country. Now, with resources scarce and more people than ever relying food banks, the peanut butter will make an even bigger impact.

Ashley Edling is the Food Panty volunteer and programs manager for the Network of Community Ministries in Dallas. It’s one of 13 agencies that received peanut butter from this year’s drive.

“Shelf stable items like peanut butter provide a lasting effect. We can distribute it to families for weeks after the initial donation," Ashley said.

Some of the Atlanta Hub employees’ donation went to Georgia State University’s food pantry. Many in the university’s student population face unique challenges including food insecurity. There State Farm LIFT Scholars, who receive scholarship support from State Farm, helped stock the pantry’s shelves.

“Philanthropy can have an amplifying effect. The peanut butter donation allowed our LIFT Scholars to give back and support others facing difficult circumstances,” said Heath Wood, Senior Director Corporate and Foundation Relations, Georgia State University.

“It showed them the resources, education, and attitude necessary to succeed in the face of the challenges they’ll face in life.”

Peanut Butter Drive Highlights:

• Phoenix Hub employees collected 10,526 pounds of peanut butter. It was donated to Midwest Food Bank, United Food Bank and St. Mary’s Food Bank.
• Atlanta employees collected and donated 7,255 pounds of peanut butter. It went to the Midwest Food Bank of Georgia and the Georgia State University Panther Pantry.
• Employees from the Bloomington campus collected 6,313 pounds of peanut butter that went to the Midwest Food Bank of Bloomington-Normal.
• In Dallas, 8,467 pounds of peanut butter was donated to the Network of Community Ministries’ food pantry and the Richland College and the UT Dallas campus food pantries.
• State Farm Operations Centers in Austin, Charlottesville, Lincoln, and Newark collected over 1,021 pounds of peanut butter for their local food banks.

In 2019, Nebraska had a historic and catastrophic year for flooding. Destruction escalated when dams were destroyed, leading to road and bridge failure. The small community of King Lake took on 6 feet of water in late March, and the community was still trying to recover come October.

“It was getting cold and the majority of residents still had no power or heat and little, if any, money. They were living in  trailers outside their home, in small apartments nearby or with family members in Omaha,” State Farm^® Agent Tim Edwards said. “Some were even living in their homes with just a wood stove.”

Tim, his son and several friends stepped in to help through the nonprofit Omaha Rapid Response. The group would go from house to house Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, insulating the homes and hanging drywall.

“We always meet the homeowner and through tears they thank us constantly,” he said. “We are on our 11^th building now and intend to continue until it warms up. Our group really enjoys each other and helping the people of King Lake.”

“Nebraska Strong”

The Lincoln Operation Center’s Lead Where You Live committee saw the devastation throughout the community and partnered with Public Affairs to bring together employees and Nebraska agents to help.

“There was an automatic reaction of ‘how can we help and take advantage of opportunities State Farm provides?’” Nate McHargue, Government Affairs Coordinator in Lincoln, Neb., said.

Claims Support Supervisor Molly Honke researched what actions would make sense to help with flood relief. Employees and agents contributed $3,530 to the American Red Cross, which was matched by the State Farm Companies Foundation Matching Gift program, and State Farm contributed another $100,000 to the American Red Cross to assist with flood relief across Nebraska and Iowa. State Farm also gave a $23,000 grant to the Fremont (Nebraska) Area Habitat for Humanity to support home repairs. The team also gathered baby items, non-perishable food items and other goods to donate.

Following the flooding, the saying “Nebraska Strong” spread. On a wall in the Lincoln Operation Center, a cut-out of the state was put up, and people were invited to write what made them “Nebraska Strong,” to inspire others to participate in acts of good.

“Some people were sharing how they are ‘Nebraska Strong,’ and some were things they do in their community – this is what I’ve done to demonstrate ‘Nebraska Strong,’” Molly said.

“It made it that much more of a community in the office,” Nate added. “Collaboration doesn’t always occur. This created that opportunity for us and created an opportunity to get to know people.”

Molly mentioned there is already a sense of pride that comes from being from Nebraska. “We really rally around being from Nebraska – from things like this to sports. Any time someone is successful, there is support. It’s an embodiment of that philosophy.”

High school students sometimes dread that question. Some are unsure of what to study when they go to college. Others know or are unsure college is a fit for them. But, they want to pursue a future that includes a career and advancement opportunities.

Across the US, trade jobs are in high demand. The Lincoln, Nebraska community recognized education is not one size fits all. Leaders decided to build The Career Academy (TCA). At the state-of-the-art facility, students can explore their options. They learn with top-notch equipment, and graduate with certificates, licenses, and even college credit.

Just one success story

Meet Paeton. She’s a strong, smart, and sassy young lady who doesn’t mind being the only girl in her construction class. She chose an education path less traveled and the one that’s right for her. In doing so, she’s breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings.

“Coming to The Career Academy is the best part of my day because I am doing what I like doing.”

Unsure of what she wanted to do, she felt like a fish out of water at her high school, the largest in Lincoln. With college approaching, nothing was engaging her. She decided to try TCA’s construction career pathway.

“Construction really intrigues me. Getting to see a project start to finish and the hands-on activity helps me learn. I can’t sit in a classroom all day—my brain doesn’t work that way.”

Now, as she starts her senior year, Paeton is confidently pursuing her dream to renovate and restore homes.

While a fine student in the traditional classroom, she is at the top of her class at TCA. She even has job offers contingent on graduation.

“The Career Academy has helped me figure out what I want to do. Had I not come here, I would have pursued being a teacher. Now I know that I want to be in construction," Paeton said. "This learning style is motivating because it makes me want to continue learning.”

“I’m more confident than before because I’m doing the same thing as the boys in my class. I’m a girl and doing what I enjoy.”

TCA is a joint venture between Lincoln Public Schools and Southeast Community College. Its goal is to provide academic and real world experiences to high school juniors and seniors. Students explore options and find their passions through 16 different career pathways. All while completing high school and dual credit courses.

Like all TCA students, Paeton now has options. These include:

• Enhanced employment opportunities because of the skills acquired at TCA.
• Earning, or be on the way to earning, a certification.
• Continuing classes to complete a 2-year degree, at a community college.
• Enrolling in a four-year college and using college transfer credits earned.

Win, Win

Whether early childhood, culinary, health science or construction trades, TCA provides quality career-focused programs. Students are prepared for continued education and employment. The hands-on learning experience contributes to their personal growth, as well as the economic growth of their community.

Follow your path

For students like Paeton, don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. A world of knowledge could be at your fingertips. Find your path and follow it. Seek to learn and gain as much experience as you can. Don’t be afraid to put on your work boots and choose the style of learning that’s calling your name.

“We encourage current sophomores to apply. Come test drive your future,” says TCA Director Dr. Dan Hohensee. “The academic and real world experiences provided at TCA can transform the life of any student. Thanks to the support of the community and our business partners, we are able to tell every student that we believe in ‘The Power of You’".