Echo Fine Properties Organizes PB&J Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief

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1665514250PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL USA - Coming Together & Sticking Together. 

On Thursday, the day after Hurricane Ian decimated the West Coast of Florida, 20 real estate agents of ours organized a Zoom call to try to figure out what we can do to help. Captiva Island, Sanibel, and the Fort Myers area are our neighbors to the West of us. I’ve personally vacationed in all areas and our company name, ECHO, was actually born in Captiva Island! Sara, one of our key people had her wedding date planned there.  Helping them out was personal. Brainstorming began. Used clothing, tools, and even1665514187 helping a local restaurant we knew throw a big food drive were ideas we explored.  Finding outlets for used clothing is harder than one thinks.  The restaurant owner we knew just had their hands full. Tools can kind of be dangerous to handle and we were not sure what to bring.  That brought us back to square one. That is when a friend of mine told me a story about a guy (Lou Farrell) who started a charity in Philadelphia, during the pandemic, called Bread Drop, making Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches. Lou spent a massive amount of time and money and has years of experience this program. Lou recently passed the 300,000 mark of sandwiches given away! Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches? Really?!?  Sounds silly but hear me out as it’s really smart.

The Big 3 food staples for me growing up in Chicago were SpaghettiOs with Franks, Bologna Sandwiches, and Peanut Butter & Jelly. SpaghettiOs are something you had to have at home because it has to be heated up and is messy.  Bologna was ok in that salty kind of way but it’s really a little kid food only.  And who knows what’s in there? But Peanut Butter & Jelly, that works at any age.  And it’s a great adult food.  Lots of calories (approximately 450).  It’s easy to take with you and carry.  It’s a comfort food that’s comfortable.  People just like it as it’s packed with memories and keeps a day going. Kids, essential workers, the homeless, you name it.  People need calories and this fits the bill.  

Coming Together & Sticking Together. I brought up the idea to a group within Echo and everyone liked it.  We started by talking to several churches and 3 said we need as many as you can get us. Some already have boats and are asking us how many we can get and how soon can we get there. So, a number of our agents and their families committed to starting a family PB&J factory out of their homes.  People want to physically help.  You can be 8 or 80 years of age and make a Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich.  It doesn’t matter if you make 10 sandwiches or 100 sandwiches.  They need your help!

So, with white bread, grape jelly, and creamy peanut butter it began.  Grab a Ziploc bag, some coolers and ice, and we’re in business.  Some volunteers offered to drive and we are set to begin deliveries starting this Saturday. If you’d like to help out (and they need your help), you can drop off sandwiches anytime between 9-5pm at our corporate office in Palm Beach Gardens.

Have fun making the sandwiches. Post them on our social media page.  Spread the word.   You will get a nifty PB&J sticker from us but so much more. Your hard work and love will feed people in need and essential workers rebuilding the West Coast of Florida. We will take photos when we drop off and get some responses to post back. Your love and support will be appreciated and will “stick” with you!

To get started and help, see the instructions below. You can contact us using the form on this page to get in touch and let us know how you can help, or with any questions you have. Echo PB&J has been designed to supplement the heavy lifting that is being done by FEMA and other established relief agencies. By working with smaller distributors we are able to reach niche under serviced people. Thank you Jeff Lichtenstein and your friends at Echo Fine Properties.

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More Pics and Videos:

PBJ Preparations and Special Messages

Delivery videos and Photos

 

In The Press! Capture for press wptv WPTV TV interview and online article!

 

tv WPBV TV Interview!

 

Make your sandwiches with:

Peanut Butter (creamy only)

Grape Jelly

White Bread

Put your sandwiches in:

Ziplock Sandwich Bags

Coolers

Drop off location:

7100 Fairway Drive Suite 44

Palm Beach Gardens FL 33418

Monday – Friday 9am-5pm

Some of the places the sandwiches will be going to:

Christian Life Fellowship

1200 SW 20th Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33991

New Hope Church Ft Myers

10051 Plantation Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33966

Ocean Church Cape Coral

2016 Kismet Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33909

Cross Point Church 204 SW 11th place, Cape Coral Fl 33991