Springfield woman distributes 1,500 PB&J sandwiches per week

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Kathy Smith has worked with homeless individuals in Springfield for nearly two decades. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she heard about a woman who had been making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for shelters in the area.

"She would make them because sometimes the shelter doesn't get enough dinners donated or they run out and people are late to arrive to the shelter to get a dinner, so the sandwiches were served as a substitute," said Smith.

When the woman stopped bringing sandwiches, Smith took over, making a few dozen sandwiches to deliver. Now the program has expanded, and Smith distributes 1,500 sandwiches on a weekly basis. While she still makes sandwiches herself, she also has several groups of volunteers who work together weekly to make the lunchtime favorite.

One group consists of 4-6 mothers who met through Blessed Sacrament Catholic School. Each week, they work together to make between 300-500 sandwiches.

"It really makes you feel good, like you are contributing to society and helping out because I think we have so many homeless people just in Springfield, and it's like, what do you do?" said Nancy Evans, a volunteer with the Blessed Sacrament group. "There's so many things that we can't do, and this is just one little piece that we can try to help out."

Throughout the week, sandwiches are delivered to Washington Street Mission, Helping Hands Shelter, Contact Ministries, St. John's Breadline, Inner City Mission, and Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery. Individuals often grab 3-5 sandwiches so they have meals for a few days. Some people share food with their children.

"I feel blessed to be a blessing and provide for those on the street that can't help it," said Smith. "Mental health is a serious problem and it could be you, your sibling or your mother on the street. We are here to serve others, not ourselves."

PBJ Springfield is always looking for more volunteers or donations of peanut butter and jelly. To volunteer or donate, you can contact the organization through their Facebook page: PBJ Springfield.