Hasbro's departure prompts debate over future of iconic Mr. Potato Head plates
The Mr. Potato Head charity license plates could be leaving the Rhode Island roads, just like Hasbro.
Rep. Brian Newberry is sponsoring a bill to discontinue the plates as "a matter of self-respect," because Hasbro is moving its headquarters from Pawtucket, to Boston's Seaport.
"It's not the biggest issue we face, but at the end of the day, Hasbro has abandoned the state," Rep. Newberry told NBC10. "It's causing the state all kinds of economic damage. And we shouldn't be advertising their products on a license plate. It's really simple," he added.
Some Rhode Islanders want to keep the iconic figure on the roads. "It's a Rhode Island icon, and I don't think it's right," Nancy Anderson, who grew up in Rhode Island, told NBC10.
"The license plate has spent a staple in Rhode Island for quite a while now," Craig Stevenson said. "People like it."
The Mr. Potato Head license plate is one of the oldest charity plates in the state, first hitting the roads in 2002. They cost $43.50 to purchase, with $20 of the proceeds going to Rhode Island Community Food Bank. The remaining funds go to the DMV to cover manufacturing costs.
"They can make donations to the food bank," Newberry said when asked his response to people who are concerned that the food bank will miss out on money from the plates.
A spokesperson for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank said they are "just hearing about the potential discontinuation of the potato head license plate," and that the organization is "so grateful that the initiative has been around as long as it has, and we’re open to new ideas" to fight food insecurity in Rhode Island.
Even though Hasbro is leaving Rhode Island, the company is deeply embedded in the Ocean state's history. "We need to keep the food bank and that's a good way to do it and keep Hasbro alive in our hearts," Anderson said.
"I'm not upset. I mean, they have to do what they have to do," Stevenson said when asked if he was mad Hasbro is moving.
"It's not a penalty at all, we were doing them a favor," Newberry said when asked if he is concerned other companies will see his bill as a penalty. "They've left, so it's time to end the favor," he added.
