The kids are back in school and as much as I jump up and down with glee, I feel somewhat melancholy because with each new school year means that they are growing up. But it also means harder homework (for both the kids and me) and dreadful lunch-making.

If it were solely up to me, I would just default to peanut butter and jelly. While my kids love PB&J, five days of it a week can get a little boring. But don't knock the venerable sandwich it's been the largest staple lunch sandwich in the U.S. for over seven decades and the average American child eats 1,500 peanut butter sandwiches by the time he/she graduates from high school.

BANGOR 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.

'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.'

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 jump start the initiative.

BANGOR In these hard economic times, more Maine families are facing hunger than ever before. Bangor Savings Bank is stepping forward again in an effort to fight hunger. During the month of March, Bangor Savings Bank will be collecting peanut butter and jelly to benefit local food pantries statewide. Donations can be made at any 56 Bangor Savings Bank branch locations throughout the state.

Peanut butter is among one of the most expensive foods for food banks to purchase in large quantities. But it is in high demand due to peanut butter being rich with protein and also having monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils, the 'good fats.' To jump start the initiative, Welch's has generously donated 10 cases of grape jelly.