TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Kickoff events for The University of Alabama’s annual Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food collection competition will be held Monday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on campus at the Ferguson Center Plaza and also that day from 4-6 p.m. with a community kick off at Bruno’s on McFarland Blvd.

The competition between the two schools will run through Nov. 17. UA students have set a goal of collecting 100,000 pounds of canned food and other non-perishable items this year. The food drive is jointly sponsored by the UA Community Service Center and the West Alabama Food Bank.

The kickoff events will feature free food and prizes. Beginning Oct. 24, canned food, rice, beans and other non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the collection truck located in the Ferguson Center Plaza or at local campus and community drop off locations including the CSC, Ferguson Center Information Desk, Tutwiler, Riverside, Reese Phifer, Student Recreation Center, Aquatic Center, Russell Student Health Center, Morgan Hall and Bruno’s.

A scale in the Ferguson Center Plaza will measure UA’s success in reaching this goal over the next three weeks. At the end of the competition the winner will be announced at the Iron Bowl Nov.19. There are also five competitive categories for donations within the UA campus and Tuscaloosa community: individuals, fraternities and sororities, student organizations, residence halls and the community.

The Beat Auburn Beat Hunger ‘food fight’ is an annual service competition between the student bodies of UA and Auburn. This year, donations will also benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina.

For more information, contact Rebecca Buchanan in the CSC at 205/348-2865 or Rebecca.buchanan@gmail.com.