Gov. Kay Ivey joined students from Auburn University and the University of Alabama on Friday to kick off the Beat Bama Food Drive and Beat Auburn Beat Hunger.

During the seven weeks leading up to the Iron Bowl, the annual, student-led initiative unites the Alabama and Auburn families to fight hunger and poverty throughout the state. Since the inception of the program in 1994, more than 8 million pounds of food have been donated to the Food Bank of East Alabama and the West Alabama Food Bank.

“Food insecurity and hunger are heartbreaking problems all around the world, including here at home. It’s estimated that one in seven Alabamians are facing hunger. Even more tragically, one in five are children,” said Ivey. “Whether you’re an Alabama or Auburn fan, you agree that no child should ever have to wonder where their next meal is going to come from. And no parent should ever have to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their children.”

Last year, despite losing the Iron Bowl on the field, Auburn prevailed in the food drive. In doing so, they also set a record for the most pounds of food collected with 352,389 pounds.

Ivey made the first donations Friday to both the Beat Bama Food Drive and Beat Auburn Beat Hunger with non-perishables.

“So, as a proud Auburn Tiger, I’m going to set an example for Auburn and Alabama fans alike by making the first donations to the Beat Bama Food Drive AND the Beat Auburn Beat Hunger Food Drive.” Ivey said. “I guess we can call this something of a bipartisan compromise.”

For information on how and where to donate, Auburn supporters can visit HERE, and Alabama fans can learn more HERE.

Ben Richardson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News