Bangor Savings branches collect 7,000 jars of PB & J

    During the month of March, in its fight against hunger, Bangor Savings Bank collected more than 7,000 jars of peanut butter and jelly in response to a unique food drive overseen by each of the bank’s 56 branches.
    The donated food was then distributed to local food pantries that serve each of the branches, ultimately feeding Maine families.
    The Houlton office collected 430 jars of peanut butter and jam.
    “We donated it to St. Mary’s Food Pantry, Backpack for Kids program and the Salvation Army,” said Chris Nickerson, vice president and northern regional market manager for Bangor Savings. “A number of local businesses and schools participated, which made a big impact on the amount that we collected. It was a huge success and great to see so many people in the community get involved.”
    Peanut butter is one of the most expensive foods for food banks to purchase in large quantities, and it is one of the highest demand food items because it is protein-rich and contains “good fats.” 
    Naturally, pairing peanut butter with jelly creates the mainstay American lunch — the peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
    Once the request for peanut butter and jelly donations went out, the response was immediate and great, with customers, bank employees, schools, and other community groups dropping off peanut butter and jelly donations in quantities ranging from a single jar to bags and boxes full. Welch’s donated 10 cases of grape jelly to jumpstart the initiative.
    “Bangor Savings Bank recognizes that many Mainers struggle to put food on the table,” said Jim Conlon, president and CEO of Bangor Savings. “For the past two years, we’ve been fortunate to partner with Good Shepherd Food Bank to support their efforts in providing Maine families with food. This targeted food drive was a way for us to involve our employees, customers and the public in giving to their community, and recognizing the real issue of hunger in our state.”
    “Having a high-protein food like peanut butter available is especially vital to families with children,” said Christine Force, vice president of fund development and strategic initiatives at Good Shepherd Food Bank, “More than 200,000 people — including 1 in 4 children — struggle with hunger in Maine. This simple idea for a food drive specifically for peanut butter and jelly — and the overwhelming response — means local food pantries can continue to keep families fed.”
    Given success of the peanut butter and jelly drive, Bangor Savings Bank is already pursuing ways to expand next year’s effort.