UA Launches 2016 Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger Drive

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s 2016 Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger drive launches Saturday, Oct. 1. The drive, which benefits the West Alabama Food Bank, has collected more than 2 million pounds of food over 20 years for those in need.

The theme of this year’s competition with Auburn University is “Together we CAN.” The campaign features a #TogetherWeCAN social media hashtag as well as competitions for collecting food among UA residence halls, student groups and clubs.

As organized by UA’s Center for Service and Leadership, the drive engages more than 1,000 students in placing and returning barrels for the collection of nonperishable food across campus and throughout Tuscaloosa. In addition, the campaign also collects monetary donations.

The drive ends Wednesday, Nov. 16, with a final weigh-in to calculate whether UA or Auburn University won the challenge. Students also help out by promoting the event to the UA community, Tuscaloosa and alumni.

“This year, Beat Auburn Beat Hunger is working to be a more inclusive effort,” said Courtney Charland, a junior from Knoxville, Tennessee, who is the undergraduate executive director. “We have reached out to every corner of campus as well as many groups off campus to make sure that we are putting our best foot forward in the fight on hunger.”

The official kickoff event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, at the Ferguson Center Plaza with an event featuring games and food. Organizers will set up a chalk board where participants can sign their names to pledge to wipe out hunger.

As part of the drive’s outreach to the Tuscaloosa community, the organizers will offer a Chick FIl-A Booster night from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at the restaurant, 2014 McFarland Blvd. East in Tuscaloosa. More community events will be scheduled.

The food drive is a critical component of efforts to help West Alabama residents who are in need.

“The Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger campaign is an essential part of the West Alabama Food Bank’s operation,” said Jean Rykaczewski, executive director of the food bank. “With more than 100,000 pounds of food coming in that can be shared with our 90-plus agencies, and the monetary donations that are used for delivering and purchasing more food, the BABH campaign has allowed us to grow and expand our reach to our neighbors in need.

“The other benefit is the ability to educate and create awareness about food insufficiency and the effect of hunger.”

The competition helps UA do its part in alleviating one of the most critical needs many Americans face, said Dr. Jennifer Kenney, assistant professor of criminal justice at UA.

“Since 2006, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has defined food insecurity is a condition where a household has limited or uncertain access to adequate food,” Kenney said. “The majority of individuals in these food-insecure families report that they regularly eat less than they need because they are afraid they will run out of food; do not want their children, elderly relatives, or other household members to go hungry; or they need the money to pay other bills. These families, including many Alabamians, are increasingly turning to food banks, if they are available, to make up the difference.”

To help promote the drive and collect food, student volunteers are engaging the campus community and alumni to gather donations of both nonperishable food and cash. Organizers are encouraging student groups to engage in volunteer activities on the weekends during the campaign. For example, volunteers plan to organize a drive.

“We have opened the door to many clubs to give them the option to serve at the West Alabama Food Bank in Northport so they can see where their efforts are going and hopefully receive a more meaningful experience than they would by just collecting cans,” Charland said. “Clubs and organization also have the option to collaborate with BABH to create their own event, which will attract students and encourage them to bring food as an ‘entrance fee.'”

Events on the Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger schedule include:

Monday, Oct. 3 (11 a.m.-3 p.m.): Kick-Off at Ferguson Center.

Wednesday, Oct. 5 (7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.): Employee Health Fair at Coleman Coliseum.

Thursday, Oct.13 (5-8 pm): Chick Fil-a Booster Night, 2014 McFarland Blvd. East.

Monday, Oct. 24 (5-8 p.m.): Zaxby’s Percentage Night on Skyland, 4383 Courtney Drive.

Thursday, Oct. 27^: BABH Night at UA Soccer versus Vanderbilt.

Wednesday, Nov. 2 (5-8 p.m.): Panda Express, 636 15th St. East.

Monday, Nov. 7 (4-6 p.m.): Strongman/Strongwoman Competition at UREC.

Tuesday, Nov. 8 (7-10 p.m.): Cycle-a-thon at UREC.

Wednesday, Nov. 9: BABH Night at UA Volleyball versus Auburn.

Thursday, Nov. 10 (7-9 p.m.): Log Rolling Competition at Aquatic Center.

Monday, Nov. 14: BABH Night at Women’s Basketball versus Mississippi Valley State.

Wednesday, Nov. 16: Final weigh-in (time TBA).