Special to the
Opelika Observer
Another food fight is under way as the annual “Beat Bama Food Drive” kicked off on Oct. 1 and running through Nov. 21.
For the last 25 years, Auburn University and the University of Alabama have competed with each other prior to the Iron Bowl to see who could raise the most food for their local food bank. It began as a relatively small-scale event, but has become one of the largest food drives in the state. Last year, Alabama took the win with 309,194 pounds of donated foods compared to Auburn’s 255,916 pounds.
This year’s competition promises to be fierce as Auburn fights to bring in the win for the Plains and Tuscaloosa attempts to hold on to it. The winner and final results will be announced at the Auburn-Alabama game on Nov. 30.
Donated food will be used to help the Food Bank’s senior programs, soup kitchens, emergency food pantries, missions and rehabilitation centers that are served by the Food Bank of East Alabama and the West Alabama Food Bank.
The competition is primarily a student-organized activity but is strongly supported by the local community, with food drives at many local businesses and public schools. Also, a number of local grocery stores help to facilitate community donations by allowing the food bank to place barrels in the store lobby during the food drive.
Following are collection barrel locations:
Auburn – CSL Plasma
- Earth Fare
- Food Bank of East Alabama
- Kroger
- Winn Dixie
- Numerous locations on Auburn University’s campus
Lanett -Kroger
Opelika – Community Market - Marriott Hotel
- Tiger Town Kroger and
- Winn Dixie.
For a list of updated barrel locations, visit www.foodbankofeastalabama.com and click on “News & Events.” The food bank is located at 375 Industry Drive.
