There are two great campaigns running in Polk County right now where citizens can donate items to help children and families in need:

The Polk County Sheriff's Office recently partnered with the University of Florida's Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences to collect new jars of peanut butter that will go to local food pantries to help feed local families.

Peanut butter is not only nutritious AND delicious (Sheriff Judd prefers crunchy JIF, in case you're wondering) it's shelf-stable and made from a product grown right here in the Sunshine State. You can drop jars of peanut butter off at any of our district offices or our main Operations Center in Winter Haven. Click here for our list of locations.

The other campaign is something that PCSO has participated in before with great success - Re/MAX Experts in Lakeland is collecting stuffed animals and childrens' books, which our deputies give to kids who need comforting after a traumatic event.

Re/MAX will be accepting donations at their Lakeland Office, 4110 South Florida Avenue, Suite 110 (between Mission BBQ and Dairy Queen) until October 31st. Their hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

See the video about peanut butter donations.

See the video about bears and books donations.