The Bank of North Georgia along with the Bank of Coweta will host the 5th annual ‘Spread the Love' Peanut Butter and Jelly Food Drive April 2 through April 30.

The drive will benefit 37 local food pantries. Since 2008, the food drive has collected more than 10 tons of peanut butter and jelly.

In 2011, the drive collected four tons of peanut butter and jelly which is enough to make more than 63,000 sandwiches.

This year, the Bank of North Georgia and the Bank of Coweta, two divisions of Synovus, have partnered with 23 schools.

"Last year, our 17 school partners collected approximately 42 percent of our overall collection of PB&J," said Don Howard, Regional CEO of Synovus in the Atlanta market. "We are excited that 23 schools have agreed to partner with our local branches to host a food drive at their school in April 2012."

"The impact will be tremendous," he added.

Howard also said that the food drive was a good way for Synovus and its affiliates to give back to the community.

"Our team members are passionate about making a difference in the local communities we serve," said Don Howard, Regional CEO of Synovus in the Atlanta market. "The challenging economy has caused more and more families to reach out to local food banks for assistance, and we felt compelled to take action."

Howard also says that local residents are encouraged to drop off any kind of peanut butter or jelly at their local branches.

"We would love to see both creamy and crunchy varieties of peanut butter and every imaginable flavor of jelly to appeal to every child in metro Atlanta," Howard said.

Local residents can drop off their contribution at either of the two Bank of North Georgia locations in the Covington area.

Porterdale Elementary School will also participate in the food drive.

The food banks in the Covington area that will benefit from the drive are the Community Food Pantry and the Salvation Army.