Washington Trust delivers 5,000 peanut butter jars to food pantries during time of need
April 16, 2026
Studies show food insecurity on rise in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut
As food insecurity continues to rise in the region, The Washington Trust Company (Washington Trust) delivered more than 5,000 jars of peanut butter—collected during the Bank’s 26th annual Peanut Butter Drive in March—to food pantries in R.I., Mass., and Conn.
Washington Trust started the drive in Spring 2001 to help replenish food pantry shelves following the holiday giving season, focusing on providing one of the most requested items due to its high nutritional value, long shelf life, and family‑friendly appeal. In the 2026 drive, Washington Trust employees, customers and community partners donated more than two and a half tons of peanut butter to 25 organizations, including Connecticut Foodshare, Good Neighbors Food Pantry (RI), the Greater Boston Food Bank, Groton Food Locker (Conn.), the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, and West Bay Community Action (RI).
The growing need for emergency food assistance, as evidenced by recent studies and reports, underscores the importance of these donations.
An April 2026 report showed that 40 percent of Massachusetts households—approximately 1.1 million—were food insecure in 2025, more than double pre‑pandemic levels, with charitable food systems playing an increasingly critical role.
In Rhode Island, data shows that demand for emergency food assistance reached historic highs in 2025 amid rising housing, healthcare, and grocery costs. Additionally, Connecticut’s 2025 state of food insecurity report found that more than 500,000 residents—roughly one in seven—experienced food insecurity, with need continuing to increase year over year as living costs outpace wages.
“We are grateful for the generosity of our employees, customers, and communities who continue to support this important effort,” said Washington Trust Chairman and CEO Ned Handy. “As food insecurity rises across our region, this drive is one way we can help local food pantries meet immediate needs while reinforcing our longstanding commitment to the communities we serve.”
Washington Trust has a long history of community involvement and supports a wide range of charitable initiatives focused on hunger relief, education, financial literacy, and economic development throughout the region. For more information about Washington Trust, please visit www.washtrust.com.