The sign on the wall asked Gulf Power employees to bring a few cans of tomatoes and some jars of peanut butter to help Manna Food Pantry. 

On Tuesday afternoon, they’re bringing a truckload.

More than 325 cans of tomatoes and jars of peanut butter lands at Manna Food Pantries today after Gulf Power employees completed a food drive at Plant Crist. Manna Food Pantries in Pensacola feeds an average of more than 130 people a day and had seen a supply shortfall in recent weeks. The pantry put out a notice for canned tomatoes and for jars of peanut butter.

Employees at Plant Crist saw the signs on the office walls and soon the supplies poured in.

“We know that Manna does terrific work in our community and has a great need for food right now — and our employees did this on their own,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power spokesperson. “The pantry is able to make the most with what they get and we hope this will help people in our community.”

The delivery today comes about a week after Gulf Power made another large donation to Manna Food Pantries and Loaves and Fishes following Hurricane Isaac.

Gulf Power had hosted close to 500 out-of-town line crews and contractors in anticipation of Hurricane Isaac. But when the storm struck Louisiana and Mississippi, the crews shifted west. That meant that the catered food contractor had nowhere to go with food prepared for 500 hungry linemen.

“It was an easy decision to make, knowing how much great work they do for the community,” Smith said. “We work with our partners at United Way and other agencies to help strengthen our communities, but it starts with our employees, who do this out of the goodness of their hearts.”

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 430,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely provide exceptional customer value by delivering reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity while strengthening our communities. Visit online at GulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page, “Gulf Power Company.”