WESTERLY — The Washington Trust Co. yesterday kicked off the “PB Xpress,” its annual peanut butter drive, and steps are being taken to ensure food safety in light of the recent peanut butter recalls.
The annual peanut butter drive, which will run until April 4, has collected more than 57 tons of peanut butter for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank since it was launched in 2001. Last year, 13 tons were donated through efforts of bank employees, customers, schools and more than 118 local businesses.
The public is invited to donate a jar of peanut butter at any Washington Trust branch in March.
Bank officials are encouraging businesses and schools throughout the state to participate by holding peanut butter drives and displaying drop boxes or by collecting money to buy peanut butter online through the food bank’s virtual-giving Web site, www.rifoodbank.org/virtual.
The virtual food drive offers participants the opportunity to purchase anywhere from 6 jars to 96 jars – at wholesale prices.
“Because of the recent peanut butter product scare, this year’s drive to collect jars of peanut butter is more important than ever,” said Elizabeth B. Eckel, Washington Trust’s senior vice president of marketing. “One jar of peanut butter provides many nutritious meals for a Rhode Island family in need.”
The Rhode Island Community Food Bank is prepared to handle concerns regarding the current peanut butter recalls.
“All peanut butter donated through the ’PB Xpress’ will be thoroughly inspected by a team of trained volunteers at the food bank to ensure its safety prior to distribution to the community,” said Andrew Schiff, the food bank executive director. “We are grateful to Washington Trust for continuing this tradition and helping to restock the shelves of our member agency food pantries.”
On Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tanya Cruise from radio station WWLI-FM LiteRock 105 will broadcast live at Washington Trust’s Cranston branch at 645 Reservoir Ave. and will have prizes and giveaways for listeners who stop by to donate peanut butter. There will also be a visit by Providence Bruins players and the team’s mascot Samboni, ticket giveaways and other activities.
Businesses and schools interested in participating should contact Charlene Ferranti, public relations officer at Washington Trust, at cpferranti@washtrust.com or at (401) 348-1363, or visit www.peanutbutterbank.com.
Washington Trust Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: WASH), based in Westerly, is the parent of The Washington Trust Co., a Rhode Island-chartered bank founded in 1800 that has offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and southeastern Connecticut. Additional information is available at www.washtrust.com.
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