31st Annual Beat Auburn Beat Hunger Food Drive Kicks Off

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama on Thursday announced it will kick off the 31st annual Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive on Oct. 4.

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The food drive will run through Nov. 21, with the results announced the following day.

UA said a kickoff event is scheduled for Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. on the steps of the state capitol in Montgomery, which will feature representatives from both UA and Auburn University.

Per tradition, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey will make donations to both institutions.

The food drive aims to raise awareness about food insecurity while collecting donations for the West Alabama Food Bank. Feeding America says one in six people in Alabama, including one in four children, face food insecurity.

“Beat Auburn Beat Hunger is a collective effort by UA students, faculty and staff, and community members to support the West Alabama Food Bank’s mission,” Beat Auburn Beat Hunger President Kennedi Preston said.“The food bank serves about 315,000 people of all ages, with 15% of that population living in poverty. For each dollar donated, they can provide five meals to those who rely on their support.”

The food drive involves a competition between UA’s Center for Service and Leadership and the Beat Bama Food Drive at Auburn.

Donation barrels will be placed across campus and throughout Tuscaloosa for students, faculty, staff, and community members to contribute.

The initiative has raised over 8 million pounds of food for Alabamians in need since its inception.

“Last year, we collected a total of 326,644 pounds of food,” Preston said. “By mid-February, all of what was collected had run out. Food insecurity is a growing issue not just globally, but locally as well.”

Beat Auburn Beat Hunger will also accept monetary donations on its website, where it will provide a list of donation barrel locations.

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