TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama students raised 326,644 pounds of food, enough to provide more than 272,000 meals to West Alabamians struggling with food insecurity, during the 30th annual Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive.
The results were announced at a celebration at the West Alabama Food Bank Friday morning. Together the two schools raised more than 1 million pounds of food for the second consecutive year. According to Feeding America, more than 710,000 Alabamians struggle with food insecurity.
Auburn University’s Beat Bama food drive raised 686,807 pounds of food during the friendly competition that ran from Sept. 29 to Nov. 16.
“It’s amazing what these two universities have done for the food insecure population of Alabama,” said Jean Rykaczewski, chief executive officer of the West Alabama Food Bank. “The last two years have been record-setting years for what we can do.”
All food and monetary donations collected during the Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive benefits the West Alabama Food Bank, which serves nine counties in West Alabama.
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.
Contact
Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, 205-348-8325, bryant.welbourne@ua.edu