Local volunteer completes peanut butter campaign for food-insecure kids

A young volunteer with Food4Kids Waterloo Region has successfully wrapped up his peanut butter campaign.

Kaleb Nieva, a 20-year-old man with Down syndrome, led the community-wide effort to collect jars for food-insecure children, part of the organization’s fifth annual peanut butter campaign which began in April.

Nieva set out with the goal of collecting 200 jars.

By early May, he had 500.

The campaign’s reach spread across the region, with a final tally of 800 jars.

The Nieva family collaborated with several local businesses as drop-off locations, as well as receiving a donation of $1,000 from several of Nieva’s elementary school teachers, which they matched dollar for dollar.

As for Food4Kids Waterloo Region’s own campaign, it will continue until June.