22,000 jars of peanut butter spark Fort Leavenworth community-wide effort to support military families

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas - More than 22,000 jars of peanut butter arrived at Stronghold Food Pantry's Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, facility Aug. 14, 2026. Within hours, the shipment had become more than a donation. It had become a community-wide effort to make sure the product reached military families and local agencies that could put it to use.

The peanut butter became available after a labeling issue pulled it from the commercial supply chain. Wright Labels donated the full shipment, creating an opportunity to put the product to use within the community.

Military Connect learned of the opportunity and connected with LOGSA Mil Moves, which recognized Stronghold as a trusted resource within the military community. LOGSA then reached out to Stronghold, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Monica Bassett that has supported military families facing food insecurity from its Fort Leavenworth location since 2023, drawing on a network of community partners locally and nationally and now reaching families in 26 states through its nationwide Ambassador Program.

Getting a semi-truck's worth of product from a warehouse to families required more than a donation - it required people. Armed Forces Bank, a longtime supporter of Stronghold, sent volunteers to help unload and sort the shipment. Tina Farr, vice president of Armed Forces Bank, was among those who joined the team for the physical work.

"We all build and work off one another's strength," Farr said.

First United Methodist Church of Leavenworth, one of Stronghold's original community partners and a regular supporter of its mission, also stepped in to help coordinate manpower and logistics alongside Stronghold volunteers.

For Bassett, the effort was another example of what can happen when organizations build relationships beyond their own walls.

"None of this could have happened without forging relationships and creating bridges with our neighboring communities," Bassett said. "It's about building connections with agencies both on and off the installation, building trust, and believing that we are stronger together."

Ashley Martinez, a Stronghold volunteer, said the response was a reminder of how willing people are to step forward when they see an opportunity to help.

"It's amazing how many organizations and people are willing to help another organization without skipping a beat to make sure people get what they need," Martinez said. "Seeing the Leavenworth community show up like this fills me with joy."

Soon after, pallets were loaded into vans, trucks and cars as representatives from local organizations arrived to gather supplies for their own programs, including the Council on Aging, Feed LV Coalition, United Way of Leavenworth County, the Leavenworth Mission, the Deeper Window, area Head Start programs, and more.

Among them was Catholic Charities' Family Support Center in Leavenworth.

"Thank you so much for the awesome amount of peanut butter. Catholic Charities is so appreciative of this donation," said Jackie Masoner, manager of the Leavenworth Family Support Center.

For Ed Garvan of First United Methodist Church of Leavenworth, the effort came down to something simple.

"Doing what's right, doing what's noble," Garvan said.

The distribution also reflects something Stronghold has built since Bassett started the organization from her garage four years ago - a reputation for following through. Families who work with Stronghold know the pantry will show up for them individually, matching groceries to each household's size, allergies and needs rather than handing out a standard box. That same reliability, coupled with Stronghold's network of community partners, helped turn a warehouse of surplus peanut butter into a resource for families and organizations across Leavenworth County.

"We don't believe we have to be the answer to every problem," Bassett said. "We believe in being part of the answer and working together."

For more information about Stronghold Food Pantry or to learn about volunteer and partnership opportunities, visit www.strongholdfoodpantry.org or contact the organization at [email protected].