In these hard economic times, more Maine families are facing hunger than ever before, and Bangor Savings Bank is doing its part to help.

During the month of March, Bangor Savings Bank will be collecting peanut butter and jelly to benefit local food pantries and other statewide hunger relief programs. Donations can be brought to any of the 57 Bangor Savings Bank branch locations throughout the state, including the one in Old Town.

Peanut butter is one of the most expensive foods for food banks to purchase in large quantities, and it is also in high demand because it is rich with protein and contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils – the “good fats.”

“We first launched the Peanut Butter amd  Jelly Drive in 2012. The effort was a huge success, collecting over 7,000 jars of peanut butter and jelly in one month for local food pantries and other statewide hunger prevention programs. It was great to see the public, local businesses and schools participate. We hope to double the amount of donations this year, so that more families will have access to a protein-rich, nonperishable food that will make a big difference in their daily lives,” said Stacey Haskell, Vice President and Community Relations Manager at Bangor Savings Bank.

Bangor Savings Bank is asking the public to help Maine families in need by dropping off jars of peanut butter and jelly – all sizes and types accepted – during the month of March at any Bangor Savings Bank location.

Bangor Savings Bank will also donate one jar of peanut butter for every new LIKE on Facebook and FOLLOW on Twitter (@bangorsavings) it receives in March.