Fredericksburg-area residents dropped off more than 2,500 pounds of sensitive documents at Carter Bank & Trust’s Bragg Road branch last Saturday to be securely shredded and recycled by Commonwealth Document Management.
In addition to the documents, visitors donated 115 pounds of food and $175 in monetary donations, along with a $500 donation from the Bank, to the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank. 
“Protecting your personal information is one of the most important things you can do to keep yourself safe from identity theft and by hosting the Shred Day we were able to help people destroy sensitive items, like bank statements, in a safe and secure manner,” Vice President and Director of Facilities Olivia Karavatakis said. “In addition to helping people protect themselves, all of the paper collected will be recycled, which falls in line with Carter Bank & Trust’s commitment to helping protect our environment.”
According to statistics from The University of Southern Indiana, the 3,000 pounds of paper recycled will help save more than 20 trees from being cut down, saves more than 475 gallons of oil used in paper production, keeps four cubic yards of waste out of landfill space, saves 5,000 kilowatts of energy consumption, and saves 8,700 gallons of water from being used in the process.
Through the Bank’s CARE Forward Program, the Bank partners with local non-profit organizations throughout its footprint, like the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, to support Carter’s tradition of caring for the communities it’s privileged to serve.
“Carter Bank & Trust’s commitment to the community is evident, and we are grateful that they entrust our organization to work with them,” Stephanie Sherrill, community engagement coordinator for the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank said. “In total, these contributions will provide 1,444 meals to the region.”
Carter Bank & Trust hosts Shred Days at different locations throughout its Virginia and North Carolina footprint each year. Future Shred Days in 2022 are being scheduled in Christiansburg, Va. and Charlotte, NC. The dates and locations of these events will be announced at a later time.