The PB&J-A-Thon is one of JHP’s signature community service events. Each semester, JHP students—along with anyone on campus who wants to pitch in—gather in the heart of Penn’s campus to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for neighbors in need. The sandwiches are donated to local homeless shelters, including St. John’s Hospice and Kate’s Place.
It’s a simple act with a big impact. Since the program began, JHP volunteers have made and donated over 50,000 sandwiches—turning the Jewish value of mitzvah into action, one sandwich at a time. This past semester alone, volunteers made nearly 1,000 sandwiches.
A donation of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches provides more than just a meal for individuals experiencing homelessness—it offers immediate nourishment, comfort, and dignity to people who may not know where their next meal will come from. Easy to distribute, filling, and nutritious, these sandwiches help St. John’s Hospice (SJH) serves hungry men, women and children quickly and efficiently, especially during times of increased need. According to the SJH annual guest survey, of the approximately 200 individuals who attend daily noon meals, 65% report that this is their only meal of the day. The donated sandwiches are distributed on the meal line in addition to a hot meal, so that guests can take the sandwich with them to have later on that day. For many individuals living on the streets or in emergency shelters, a simple sandwich can ease hunger, provide energy for the day ahead, and remind them that their community cares about their well-being. Small acts of generosity for our SJH community make a meaningful difference in helping combat food insecurity and supporting our vulnerable neighbors with compassion and hope.”
— Kris Jaeger, Director, Development of Community Relations, St. John’s Hospice
Taking place in the center of campus, PB&J is such a special event that welcomes any Penn student to take part in JHP’s philanthropic mission. I loved organizing and participating in PB&J this year, and seeing the excitement of anyone willing to help out. Whether participating for a few minutes or a few hours, I love how PB&J gives students the opportunity to take time out of their day to make an impact on the community!”
— Caroline Pantzer, Class of 2029
It was so wonderful to help run our biannual PB&J-A-Thon this past week! With help from our board, our general members, and the entire Penn community, we were able to make almost 1,000 sandwiches, which we donated to St. John’s, a local homeless shelter! This truly is one of my favorite events of the entire semester because it encourages people to take even just five minutes out of their day, make a few sandwiches, and give back to the greater Philadelphia community.”
— Ella Waldman, Class of 2028