The Millers Foundation has kicked off its fourth annual peanut butter and jelly drive at area Millers Stores.

This unique food drive helps four food banks in Virginia stock their shelves with much-needed protein.

“We love the PB&J campaign,” said Donna Tighe, community relations manager for the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. “We always need protein. We can’t seem to keep it on the shelves. It’s always the first to go.”

During the drive, Millers stores offer peanut butter and jelly at a reduced cost to customers who purchase the products and donate them right at the stores. When the campaign ends Nov. 30, Millers employees will deliver the donations directly to the food banks.

At a time when many food banks are working to collect holiday meals for needy families and individuals, this food drive focuses on staples that people need every day.

“If you think about it, food banks supply needy children through preschools and after-care programs, and peanut butter is an easy-to-serve, non-perishable source of protein that kids love, making it the perfect inspiration for this campaign,” Millers Foundation Chairman Lindsay Pryor stated in a press release.

The release noted that on the first day of the campaign, the store at 4444 Portsmouth Blvd., near Chesapeake Square, ran out of peanut butter.

In addition to the peanut butter and jelly drive, The Millers Foundation supports the community through charitable grants and special events. Its most well known events are the Hearts of Hope Campaign each February and the Charity Golf Classic each June. The Foundation began in 2004.