Car dealer’s peanut butter drive a big success
Robberson Ford, in conjunction with Ford Focus on Child Hunger, held a Peanut Butter Drive at Newport Avenue Market in Bend and Erickson’s Thriftway in Prineville during a week-long campaign in June – and it was a big success.
In fact, the dealer was proud to announce Monday a huge success in the campaign, as 9,605 pounds of peanut butter were raised! Translated to sandwiches; that is well over 150,000 peanut butter sandwiches! The 9,605 pounds represents a 25 percent increase from last year’s peanut butter drive.
The need is large
The peanut butter drive, which ran from June 5-13, supported the increased demand for this expensive staple during the summer months, when many children lose access to school nutrition programs.
Many Central Oregon students who eat free or reduced-price meals during the school year go without during the summer. In fact, in Deschutes County, only 12 percent of students who received reduced or free lunch received lunch during the summer. In Crook County, only 2 percent of these students received their free lunches.
By providing the Food Bank with peanut butter, they are able to stock their shelves with this valuable staple.
“We are extremely excited with the outcome.” exclaimed Jeff Robberson, president of Robberson Ford. He continued, “It was exciting to see our customers and employees really jump on this bandwagon.”
Robberson Ford donated one 40-ounce jar of peanut butter for every oil change in the QuickLane, and for every Ford purchased, Robberson Ford donated four cases of peanut butter on the customer’s behalf.
Robberson added, “Giving back to the communities we serve has always been and always will be a cornerstone of who Robberson Ford is, and will be in the future.”
Partners in the Community
Newport Avenue Market and Erickson’s Thriftway are excited for the peanut butter drive; Lauren G.R. Johnson, Leader of the Pack (vrrrooom!) & COO of Newport Avenue Market, said: “Our No. 1 commitment has always been to help provide food for those in need, including children, and to assist in strengthening our community.”
“We were excited to be part of the Robberson Ford’s Focus on Child Hunger Peanut Butter Drive,” Johnson said. And John Amodeo, Store Manager of Erickson’s in Prineville agreed: “Helping the kids and families of Crook County get a much needed nutritious meal makes me smile. We are looking forward to getting more done next year.”
This drive was part of a five-state Pacific Northwest region campaign by Ford dealers to support their community food banks and to make sure no child goes hungry over the summer.
