Way to Go: Commack food-gang leader Jacob Seus

When Jacob Seus asked to start his own gang, he said his principal was all for it.

Seus, an eighth-grader at Holy Family Regional School in Commack, launched a PBJ Gang - short for Peanut Butter & Jelly Gang - at the school in January that consists of a group of 30 classmates meeting monthly to make 500 sandwiches for local food pantries.

Jacob got the idea after being part of the PBJ Gang at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in East Northport.

"We have a lot in this world, so we should help the less fortunate and give them some of what we have," said Seus, 13.

To start the gang, Seus got approval from Principal Connie Jenkins, and the school sent home fliers seeking permission for interested kids to stay after school once a month. Parents also gave funds to Seus to buy supplies - and in some cases gave bread, jelly or peanut butter right to the school.

It typically takes 11/2 hours for the gang to make 500 sandwiches, Seus said. They are then transported to St. Anthony of Padua, which distributes the food to local pantries.

At Holy Family, Jacob also plays on the baseball team and volunteers at a weekly sports night for disabled youth.