When Ted Talks...

People often ask how we calculate the amount of peanut butter and jelly needed for our “Open Jam” events. With a New Year’s Eve event approaching, we expect to make 3,000 PB&Js—and the last thing we want is to run out in front of a crowd of enthusiastic, community-minded volunteers. Government guidelines estimate about half an ounce each of peanut butter and jelly per sandwich. In practice, we use closer to one ounce of each per sandwich—and that is before accounting for the “Ted factor.” The “Ted Factor” belongs to Ted Gerrish, one of my favorite people. Quiet, serious, and focused, he is always ready to serve his community. I know him for his PB&J-making skills, but our community is stronger because of the commitment he and his wife, Bonnie, share. Whenever Ted joins the PB&J line, our averages change. His sandwiches are not snacks; they are commitments. He adds a generous heap, glob, a mega-spoon, whatever you want to call it. If the sandwich is extra thick, sticky, and filling, Ted made it. His reasoning is simple: “This might be their only meal of the day, so let’s make it count.” That is classic Ted—serious, direct, and exactly right. We’ll gladly buy a few extra containers of peanut butter whenever he is around. We are all better for it.