UA’s Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger Food Drive Returns for 20th Year

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama Community Service Center launches the 20th annual Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, with a kickoff event at UA’s Ferguson Plaza.

The food drive, which benefits the West Alabama Food Bank, will run through Nov. 22.

The Oct. 14 event will include free food as well as the opportunity to vote in a pie-throwing contest. Students, faculty and staff may choose a contestant and make a donation in their honor. In addition, participants may have their photo taken with Big Al and pick up T-shirts.

The “Pie in the Face” event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the Ferguson Plaza with the winner receiving a pie in the face.

With the 20th anniversary of Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger, the Community Service Center has set a goal of collecting 275,000 pounds of food. In 2012, Beat Auburn Beat Hunger collected 266,737 pounds of food.

Started in 1994, Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger has helped collect nearly 2 million pounds of food. During the weeks leading up to the Iron Bowl on Nov. 30, students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members “fight” hunger and poverty in West Alabama by challenging Auburn University and the Food Bank of East Alabama to see who can collect more nonperishable food to help the needy Alabama families have a happier and healthier holiday season.

The food bank is accepting all nonperishable food items, and collection barrels are placed at locations on campus and around Tuscaloosa. Monetary donations will be accepted at various Bama Dining locations, by texting BAMA or BABH to 27722, and online at beatauburnbeathunger.ua.edu.

Other Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger events include:

Oct.16-17:  “Stamp out Hunger” Letter Writing Event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Community Service Center, Ferguson, room 346. To raise money, students will send out letters to friends and family members requesting donations in their honor for the drive. Staff members will provide all letters and postage supplies. The letters will describe the cause and explain how each recipient can donate.

Oct. 20: Bring cans to the UA women’s volleyball game vs LSU at 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 26: Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger Tailgate on the Quad. The tailgate, before the UA-Tennessee football game, will offer free food, stickers and shakers.

Oct. 29-30: Beat Auburn Blood Drive, Ferguson Ballroom. For each person who gives blood, the American Red Cross will donate a nonperishable food item. It is co-sponsored by UA’s Student Government Association.

Nov. 10:  Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger 5K Run, 2 p.m. Organizers will give prizes for people in different age ranges. The registration fee is $20 before Nov. 1 and $25 after. Register at http://beatauburnbeathunger.ua.edu/5k.cfm.

Nov.  16:  SGA Ride With The Tide” at Mississippi State. Students may donate cans for Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger when they “Ride With The Tide” to Starkville, Miss., for the Mississippi State football game.

Nov. 22:  Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger Closing Party. A truck will be available at the Ferguson Center to collect last-minute donations.

For more information, contact the Community Service Center in 346 Ferguson Center, 205/348-2865, or go to beatauburnbeathunger.ua.edu.