Hunger Bowl Expected to Raise 50,000 Pounds of Holiday Meals

ATHENS, Ga.--Over 50,000 pounds of non-perishable food items are expected to be raised for local families in need this November.

      The contest which is sponsored by the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia was kicked off on Nov. 2, ending with a weigh-in reception from 2-4 p.m. at the food bank's Newton Bridge Road facility. Winners of the donation drive will receive prizes, and refreshments will be served. 

     "Food drives are an easy way for people to become involved in the work that we do," said Tina Laseter the food bank's Hunger Bowl Coordinator in an October Online Athens article. "Everyone is eager to donate, especially around Thanksgiving," Laseter later added in the article. 

     The food drive's projected 50,000 pounds of food will provide roughly 41,000 Thanksgiving meals. The competition is based on what the food bank calls "friendly competition," and is based on a per-person average.

     Laseter told Online Athens, "If each person brings in just 10 cans we will exceed our goal." 

     Volunteers will be on hand at the Nov. 16 weigh-in to help unload donations. More information about the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and the 2012 Hunger Bowl can be found at www.foodbanknega.org.