AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) - Beat Bama Food Drive will end its thirtieth year collecting donations for the Food Bank of East Alabama on Thursday, Nov. 16.
To get involved before the drive is over, you can donate canned goods to any donation bins located around campus and some businesses in Auburn, or donate money directly to the organization through its website. Throughout the semester, BBFD holds many events to promote the drive and encourage student participation.
The organization hosts the drive every year to combat food insecurity in East Alabama. Competing against the University of Alabama’s Beat Auburn Beat Hunger organization, BBFD is a way for Auburn students to get involved on campus and in the community while fostering a good-natured rivalry “where nobody loses.”
BBFD has collected over 8.4 million pounds of food for Alabamians since it was created in 1994. Craig Young, the former director of West Alabama Food Bank, created the competition between schools, the organization that Beat Auburn Beat Hunger promotes.
The food and monetary donations collected are channeled into low-income daycares, emergency food pantries, rehabilitation centers and senior programs throughout the state. Every dollar raised equates to two pounds of food.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, “Alabama is the fifth poorest state in the nation, with 17% of adults and 23% of children (1 out of 4) facing food insecurity, or lack of regular access to enough nutritious food for an active, healthy life.”
For a list of all donation sites around Auburn and the campus, visit Food Bank of East Alabama’s website.
