ALABAMA’S FOOD DRIVE BEATS AUBURN WITH NEARLY 310,000 POUNDS OF DONATIONS

The University of Alabama and Auburn University students have been collecting canned goods and other food donation in a competition against each other leading into the Iron Bowl.

Both colleges have been trying to raise more than the other in food donations since their drives began early in October. The winner was announced on Nov. 16 at the West Alabama Food Bank.

The University of Alabama’s Beat Auburn Beat Hunger won this year after gathering over 309,194 pounds of food donations. The program surpassed their food donations gathered in 2017 by over 48,000 pounds. Olivia Van Praag, president of Beat Auburn Beat Hunger, said that they had been working hard to make sure they finished the food drive strong.

“I mean my team and I, we do love to help the community so that’s the ultimate goal,” said Van Praag. “But we are super competitive so that adds a fun little flair to our drive and we’ve been working hard these past couple weeks to just really drive it home.”

Food donations from both colleges will benefit nonprofits like The West Alabama Food Bank which help people struggling with food insecurity.