WRBL News 3 teams up with community partners, local high schools for Tackle Hunger campaign
Hunger is an issue that impacts families all across America, including those living in West Central Georgia and East Alabama, with an estimated 1 in 8 people facing the daily prospect of not having access or being able to afford nutritious food.
In an effort to put a spotlight on the issue WRBL News 3 is teaming up with community partners and local high schools over the next six weeks to “Tackle Hunger.”
The campaign coincides with the start of high school football season in the Chattahoochee Valley and East Alabama. Each week, the two teams facing off in that week’s News 3 Sports Prep Zone Game of the Week will compete off the field as well to see which school can collect as many canned goods and other non-perishable food items for our local food banks. News 3 will feature interviews with representatives of local food banks during our Friday Night Tailgate discussing the issue of hunger in our area and the importance of community support.
Tackle Hunger kicked off the week of August 23rd with G.W. Carver High School facing off against William H. Spencer High School. The two teams face off in the Heritage Bowl at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus on Friday, August 27th at 7:30 p.m.
Week 3 is Troup County vs. Hardaway at Kinnett Stadium. Right now Central-Phenix City is in 1st place having collected 401lbs of food.
Because students at Smiths Station High School are currently having class remotely – News 3 has placed three donation boxes at Smiths Station City Hall (2336 Lee Rd #430, Smiths Station, AL 36877) and three donation boxes at Smiths Station Junior High (1100 Co Rd 298, Smiths Station, AL 36877)for those who would like to drop off donations this week.
Each school will collect the following items during game week:
- Microwavable meals (pasta, beef stew, macaroni and cheese)
- Microwavable vegetables
- Microwavable soups
- Raisin boxes
- Cracker packs
- Small fruit cups
- Small apple sauce cups
- Healthy juice boxes
- Granola, fruit bars
- Breakfast or cereal bars
All of the food collected at Central will go to Feeding the Valley Food Bank.
All of the food collected at the Smiths Station locations will go to East Alabama Food Bank.
The donations will be collected and weighed on Tuesday, September 7th with the winning school will be announced on News 3 Evening Edition at 6:00 p.m. EDT. The third week match-up will be announced that evening as well.
The campaign will continue over the next five weeks, culminating on Friday, October 1st – with the school collecting overall the most total food being declared the Tackle Hunger Champion on Monday, October 4th. The winning school will be presented with the 1st Annual Tackle Hunger Trophy and received a check for $250.
Monetary donations can also be made online by clicking this link.
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