Guest post by Kelli Herlevi.
Seven years ago or so we were living in Mississippi. My husband was in training for his career and our budget was pretty tight.
Extremely tight.
image by certified su
We were trying to stretch our food dollars as far as possible to include purchasing food storage items each time we went grocery shopping. I found myself at the supermarket one day when a display featuring a fantastic deal on peanut butter caught my eye.
Now, we had already evaluated our needs for peanut butter and considering our preference for peanut butter, we had already determined our one-year supply to be 6 jars. Plus, we knew that in 12 months it would be highly probable that we would be relocating to different part of the county. We didn’t want to be stuck with an unreasonable amount of food storage when it came time to move.
However, I was still drawn to the display for the peanut butter deal. It was just too good to pass up.
I was faced with a big decision: Creamy or Crunchy? Unable to decide, I chose both. A case of crunchy peanut butter and a case of creamy peanut butter.
What in the world was I thinking? I strolled around the supermarket for a few minutes contemplating my decision. I determined that it did fit within my budget, so I promptly paid for my groceries and headed home.
Then when I got home I had to make yet another decision: where to hide the peanut butter so that I didn’t have to explain to my husband why I spent our entire grocery surplus on peanut butter.
I hid it with the cleaning supplies. Certainly, it was safe there for an extended period of time. I knew he’d never find it. And sure enough, the peanut butter stash was not discovered…for a few weeks at least.
About 6 weeks later we found ourselves in the midst of Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath. We were safe. Our home was safe. Our neighbors were safe. Phone communication was sketchy at first. But on day 3, we received our first phone call. A member of our church was calling to check on members of our congregation.
We reported that we were safe, what our needs were and what goods we had to offer to others. She told us that a national grocery chain had made arrangements to bring in an 18-wheeler full of bread and other grocery products to the Jackson Coliseum that was being used as a shelter. They were looking for local donations for items for sandwiches that would not require refrigeration as the whole area was still without power.
I was speechless for several seconds. Tears filled my eyes. I remembered the 2 cases of peanut butter hidden amongst the cleaning supplies.
We immediately filled our small car with items to donate: towels, sheets, blankets, pillows, coloring books, crayons…and 2 cases of peanut butter.
I will never forget the overwhelming feeling of gratitude I had as we pulled up to the Coliseum and began unloading our goods. I was completely overcome with emotion as I walked into the dark halls lined with mothers and young children displaced by the storm. Many of them had only the shirts on their backs. I was quickly directed to a hall where tall racks of bread were being stored, waiting to be made into sandwiches for so many unfortunate people.
That event left an impression on me that I will never forget. I will forever be able to see those faces in my mind of the people lining the halls, hungry, tired, waiting for relief. I will also never forget my impression 6 weeks earlier to buy 2 cases of peanut butter.
Just in case you’re wondering about my obsession with peanut butter, here are a few reasons to store the nutty stuff:
- Peanut Butter has a relatively long shelf-life when stored in a cool location. The “use by” date is typically one to years out, but it can actually be stored indefinitely in a cool place if it is unopened.
- It does not need to be refrigerated upon opening. It can stay good for at least 6 months after opening.
- It is high in fiber, protein and micronutrients.
- An interesting nutrient found in peanuts in Resveratrol, a natural antimicrobial agent produced by the peanut plant found to ward off potential pathogens. It provides anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties to the body.
- Peanut Butter is available in a variety of sizes. Sealed packages range in size from single serving containers, 18 oz, 40 oz, 48 oz. to a #10 can size.
- Peanut Butter Powder is a healthy option. It’s sold in a #10 can and has a shelf life of 4 years which can be extended if it is refrigerated.
I prefer to store a variety of sizes as well as a mix of creamy, crunchy, and super crunchy. Keep in mind those with peanut allergies. If the allergy is severe enough, even being in the same room with a PB&J sandwich can be harmful. For those with peanut allergies, almond butter or cashew butter might be an option. Nutella also has a similar shelf life to peanut butter when unopened. I can’t vouch for the shelf life an opened bottle of Nutella because at our house an opened jar of Nutella does not last long enough to measure.
Perhaps there are people out there who hoard food with no intention of sharing, ever. But there’s just something about having a little bit extra and being able to share it with someone in need that keeps me focused on storing food whenever I can.
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Fantastic story on following the promptings of the spirit and of service! Keep it up!!
Steven
Great story – sounds like there was a little guidance going on during that shopping trip!
with all the rottenness going on in this world today, thank you for giving me a “Happy Heart” story. I guess I am not the only one in this world that thinks of others. <3
That’s a lovely story. I know when my family and I went through a tornado in Oklahoma that it was so appreciated all that was donated and brought for us to get back on our feet.
We go through 3jars of peanut butter a month. I do have food storage items to share. Things I have purchased for extremely cheap that we don’t normally eat. Things that may be eaten by us but that I can also give.
I love this story. And it is truly wonderful when God blesses you with enough. And its miraculous when God blesses you with enough to share.
Its not the idea of sharing that bothers me. Its the comments. If something “happens” I’m coming to your house. I’ve actually had that said to me. I take it to mean that they don’t need to prepare because I’m just nice enough to give away the fruits of my labor. I’m all for charity. But I’m not the government either. I won’t be giving out freebies to those who won’t help themselves. We are looking at a Cat 1 Hurricane in the next 12-24 hours. I actually did go out for one extra thing.. wide mouth canning lids. The local store shelves are empty. Hysteria has set in on the roads. Thousands of people are beginning to panic at the last minute. Suddenly they want to know where the water is. And if I have an extra bottle they will steal it without hesitation. Its scary.
Couponcook stay safe! Praying for you!
Hey thanks Jamie. We’re slightly west of Mobile, AL. Our neighbors to the west and South are flooded in. Even though the weather channel will focus on Louisiana please pray for everyone in between Mobile and the Louisiana line and on our outlying islands. They get just as much damage and have just as much need. We’ve gotten the worst of the wind and right now the rain. We should be just fine in about 12 more hours. Our kids are in school today. Walmart is open again so the panic is over. Not that shelves will be stocked yet but people will visit anyway.
Oh, what a fantastic story of a giving heart. Listen to the still, small voice!!
So sweet. A little guidance leading to a great gift. You made my day!
What a wonderful , thanks for sharing!
I think you were led to purchase that peanut butter, there is no such thing as coincidence. Thank you for sharing!
Wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it! Nice to hear a “good’ story for a change. Everything else has been so negative that I’ve heard lately.
We live on the coast in MS. For Katrina we evacuated and when we came back our family “dropped us off” first because we had a large dog. In all the fuss they forgot to leave us a case of water. The power was still out which meant it was incredibly hot which if you lived here you know all too well. We were left with no communication, no gas, a few granola bars and three bottles of water. We stayed like that for three days. We asked neighbors for some spare gas to go look for the Red Cross trucks. (Which we had passed on our way home. too early.) They said they couldn’t spare any which I understood until less than a week later they were outside cutting their grass. My grandfather finally came and got us. We all had to rip out the moldy carpet and furniture from his soaking house. It started to sprinkle and I put out every bucket I could find to collect water. It was a scary time. We didn’t think to stock up if we were evacuating. It could have been a lot worse but that is what motivates me to get prepared. My poor mother should never have to worry about where to get a meal for us again.
That was very selfless of you.
What a great parable! I personally love peanut butter in all its’ various incarnations. (My dogs also love a spot on a dog cookie!) I think it is a great prepper food that is easy to store and easy to share. Did you know: besides sandwiches, you can also boost protein by putting it on pancakes, baking into breads, cookies, cakes; use it to make sauces Oriental-style; stuffing our old friend celery, and even in shakes with protein powder and whey-thereby boosting the milk or soy with even more protein. Believe me, when the 1994 earthquake hit-mom and I enjoyed a nutter protein shake when the stove was kaput!! I never pass up a sale on peanut butter. Now, I will consider it a Divine Directive!
I know what you mean about the feelings of being able to share and help others. And being a Mississippi girl, born and bred, I just want to say God Bless you. All my family is in Mississippi, and all around the Jackson area.
I make peanut butter myself. I use heat sterilized glass bottles. What would be the shelf-life with/without refrigeration ?
Any idea whether the stuff sold in stores contains any preservatives ?
One thing that has always bugged me is how the food packers have taken the sealed tin can and instead put those dang pop tops on them. Talk about cross contanimation in a flooded pantry. At least with the older cans you could wash the can off with a little bleach water. While in the Coast Guard the chief cook would always send those cans back to the vendor. Or else they were the first cans used.
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How about this for a new conspiracy theory. The Government has mandated the replacement of sealed tin cans with the pop off lids because the food inside would get contanimated and require that people would have to depend on the handouts from them during a flood. Or that can openers can’t be trusted in the average American hands.
How wonderful you had that peanut butter to contribute! I am a a little wary of using peanut butter too frequently, however. Even small amounts over a long period of time will cause an increased risk of liver cancer. All peanuts (except a very expensive jungle peanut), contain aflatoxin, a fungal growth that peanuts develop when they are stored. It is this toxin that increases the risk of liver cancer. So yes, it is a good emergency non-perishable food, but if you plan on eating it fairly often, it is not the healthiest. Other nut and seed butters don’t contain this toxin. Sunflower seed butter, for example, if also very healthy and will not increase your risk of liver cancer.
There are many people in this world that will share things and food also.My heart has been touched by these stories.I would give people what they needed when it comes to food.I am not a rich person,but some what poor.Many times my daughter and i have not had anything to eat,but i would still try to help some one.It is great that there are people in the world like this. God bless every one
I have learned to ALWAYS listen to and do as my “inner voice” tells me because it is the Holy Spirit guiding me. My husband was in the USAF for 20 years including a two year unaccompanied tour in Germany. While he was there my inner voice told me to take out a JC Penney life insurance policy on myself so I did. When my husband returned and learned that I had done this he said, “That’s ridiculous! You’ll never need it. Well, one year later I was in a very bad wreck in which I sustained several severe injuries and could no longer work. All I remember about the accident is a brief out of body experience that I verified with my husband. I told him that I was above the scene looking down and I saw a short female EMT with short dark hair and glasses attempting to revive me. He said, “You know, there was one who looked exactly like that!” BTW … I only survived because Jesus pulled me under the steering column and placed my right hand over an open wound on my chest so that I would not bleed out. Anyway, once I got home from rehab my husband was reading the terms of my insurance policy. He said, “Listen to this: For complete legal blindness in both eyes the insured will receive $50,000, For complete legal blindness in one eye the insured will receive $25,000.” I hobbled to the mailbox every day and met my husband at the door with that check! Praise the Lord, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit! I am addicted to peanut butter and also thank God for George Washington Carver. Always Trust in God. 🙂
I love your story, thanks for sharing. I’m so sorry to hear about this accident, however.
Thanks for sharing your sweet, spiritual experience. God knows each of us and loves us, and He will allow us to be His hands when we listen to Him.