Beat Auburn Beat Hunger Food Drive Kicks Off at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The annual Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive will kick off at The University of Alabama on Monday, Oct. 11, at the Ferguson Center Plaza from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to donate to the food drive, sample food from local restaurants and vote on which students and faculty members should take a pie to the face in a pie-throwing contest.

Proceeds from the pie-throwing contest will go towards Beat Auburn Beat Hunger. Each contestant will have a jar displaying their name and picture, and the contestant whose jar holds the largest amount of money at the end of the kickoff will take a pie to the face on Wednesday, Oct. 13, at noon in the Ferguson Center Plaza. The student who donates the most money will throw the pie.

Among the student contestants are James Fowler, UA Student Government Association president, and Victor Luckerson, editor of The Crimson White. UA faculty/staff contestants include: Dr. Hank Lazer, associate provost and executive director of Creative Campus; Dr. Shane Sharpe, Honors College dean; Dr. Mark Nelson, vice provost and vice president for student affairs; Ken Ozzello, director of the Million Dollar Band; and Becky Reamey, Honors College associate director of student development.

Along with the pie throwing contest, students can sample local barbecue by making a $1 donation to Beat Auburn Beat Hunger. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. will perform a step show, and Big Al will make an appearance.

The UA Community Service Center will also partner with the SGA for CanFormation, a canned food building competition that will benefit Beat Auburn Beat Hunger. The CanFormation entries will be displayed around campus Wednesday, Oct. 13-Thursday, Oct. 14 as a part of UA’s Homecoming Week.

Beat Auburn Beat Hunger is an annual food drive that strikes up healthy competition between UA and Auburn University to see who can collect the most food in the weeks before the Iron Bowl. Since 1994, nearly 2.5 million pounds of food have been collected. All UA food donations benefit the West Alabama Food Bank, which serves nine counties.

“Beat Auburn Beat Hunger is a great way for the University of Alabama and the Tuscaloosa community to unite under a good cause,” said Charlotte Brown, a student director for the food drive. “Last year, we raised close to 176,000 pounds of food for the West Alabama Food Bank, and this year we are expecting to raise even more. No matter what the end results are, both sides will work hard to help the needy in our communities.”

Food collection barrels will be placed at locations both on UA’s campus and around Tuscaloosa. Monetary donations will also be accepted at Bama Dining locations and online at www.beatauburnbeathunger.ua.edu. Also, $10 donations can be made by texting “BAMA” to 27722.

Beat Auburn Beat Hunger will come to a close on Nov. 22. For more information, visit the Community Service Center at 346 Ferguson Center or go online to www.beatauburnbeathunger.ua.edu