Bank's Annual Peanut Butter Drive Feeds Millions of Hungry Rhode Island Families
Washington Trust once again collected more than six tons of peanut butter during the Bank's annual drive, held this past March, to help fight hunger in Rhode Island.This year's collections helped push the Bank's 12-year total to more than 100 tons of peanut butter, enough to make almost four million peanut butter sandwiches.Peanut butter donations were distributed to local food banks throughout the State of Rhode Island.
Left to Right: Sharon Morgan, Washington Trust Vice President and Branch Manager,; Wendy Bazydlo, Washington Trust Branch Manager; Helena Nulick, Washington Trust Branch Manager and Elizabeth Pasqualini, Executive Director of the Jonnycake Center of Westerly. (Photo: Business Wire)
"We are incredibly pleased with these results and grateful for the generosity of local Rhode Island businesses, organizations and schools that helped us collect more than 100 tons of peanut butter over the past 12 years," said Joseph J. MarcAurele Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Washington Trust. "Washington Trust is committed to fighting hunger and helping Rhode Island families in need."
Peanut butter is a highly nutritious source of protein and one of the most requested food bank items, because it is loved by children and adults. Due to the rising cost of peanut butter over the years, food banks have continuously had a shortage of the product. This year's collection benefited the Bread of Life Food Pantry in Rumford, the Comprehensive Action Program in Cranston, the Helping Hands Food Pantry of Block Island, the Jonnycake Centers of Westerly and Peacedale, the North Kingstown Food Pantry, the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, the Providence In-Town Churches Association in Pawcatuck, Conn., the Rhode Island Center Assisting Those In Need in Charlestown, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, the WestBay Community Action Program in Warwick and the Wood River Food Pantry in Richmond.
"We are very grateful to Washington Trust for conducting the peanut butter drive and their efforts to help fight hunger in our community. We are humbled by the community response," said Elizabeth Pasqualini, Executive Director of the Jonnycake Center of Westerly.
The Washington Trust Company is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., a $3.0 billion corporation headquartered in Westerly, Rhode Island. Founded in 1800, Washington Trust is the oldest community bank in the nation and is the largest independent bank headquartered in Rhode Island. A state-chartered bank, Washington Trust offers a full range of financial services, including business banking, personal banking, and wealth management and trust services through its offices located in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Corporation's common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Select® Stock Market under the symbol WASH.Web site address: www.washtrust.com.
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Contacts:
Washington Trust
Elizabeth B. Eckel, 401-348-1309
SVP Marketing
ebeckel@washtrust.com