Oct. 31, 2016

South Carolina and Clemson fans can make an impact on the Certified SC Grown Palmetto Series as the annual Carolina Can Food Drive kicked off on Monday. The Food Drive is a coordinated effort to benefit Harvest Hope Food Bank and Golden Harvest Food Bank to tackle hunger within their communities. The university that raises the most donations in non-perishable foods by November 21 will earn a point for their school towards the 2016-17 Certified SC Grown Palmetto Series standings.

“This is the one chance for our fans to make an impact on the rivalry,” said Gamecock tennis student-athlete Thomas Mayronne, who is the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). “As student-athletes, it represents a chance for us to give back to the community. They support all of our athletics events, so anything we can do to help and make the community better, it’s important to do that.”

“It’s always great to see two rivals come together for a common cause in the Palmetto Series,” said Harvest Hope Food Bank CEO Denise Holland. “Having a canned food drive as part of the series is a great way to help everyone recognize and meet the needs of the hungry in our state. Seeing the schools’ appetite for victory turned into a drive to end hunger is a win for everyone involved. I’m excited to see what the students, fans, and teams will do to help their neighbors who struggle with hunger on a daily basis.”

In South Carolina, one in six South Carolina families struggles to find where the next meal will come from, and one in four children will go to bed hungry every night. By participating in the Palmetto Series Food Drive this month, Gamecock and Clemson fans alike will come together to fight the statewide battle of food insecurities and support Harvest Hope and Golden Harvest.

Carolina Can offers an extremely valuable opportunity for student athletes, Greek Life, and South Carolina students as a whole to come together and fight hunger in the state.

Thomas Mayronne, Men’s Tennis

South Carolina won the Carolina Can Food Drive last year on the way to winning the title in the inaugural year of the Certified SC Grown Palmetto Series. The winner of Food Drive match-up will be announced at the South Carolina vs. Clemson football game on November 26.

“Carolina Can offers an extremely valuable opportunity for student athletes, Greek Life, and South Carolina students as a whole to come together and fight hunger in the state,” Mayronne said. “As part of the Palmetto Series between the University of South Carolina and Clemson, Carolina Can represents an important community service event that utilizes the best rivalry in sports to benefit the communities that surround us.”

Collected food donations between the two schools will be measured in pounds, and money donated will be converted to a number of pounds via an equation used by Harvest Hope and Golden Harvest. To participate in the food drive, the Midlands community is invited to donate canned goods at the following participating BI-LO stores:

– BI-LO 5282 (4464 Devine St, Columbia, SC)
– BI-LO 5615 (2349 Augusta Rd, West Columbia, SC)
– BI-LO 5723 (300 Knox Abbot Dr., Cayce, SC)
– BI-LO 5578 (2453 Charleston Highway, Cayce, SC)

Donations can also be made at any of the on-campus collection points including:
– 650 Lincoln
– Patterson Hall
– Russell House
– Strom Thurmond Fitness and Wellness
– Columbia Hall
– Capstone
– South Quad
– West Quad
– East Quad
– Bates House
– Bates West
– Fraternity/sorority houses (16)
– Rice Athletics Center
– Dodie Academic Enrichment Center
– Carolina Coliseum

Gamecock fans can also text HHFB Cocks to 501501 to donate $10. For additional program details and/or to donate online, please visit scfoodbankassociation.org/palmetto-series.

“South Carolina’s farmers have dedicated their lives to feeding people,” said South Carolina Department of Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers. “We work every day to help grow healthy food for families across the state and beyond. We’re honored to help fight the hunger issues across South Carolina and help put food on the tables of our neighbors in need.”

To learn more about the Palmetto Series, visit www.palmettoseries.com. You can see the full release about the Palmetto Series Food Drive here. You can also connect online with the Palmetto Series on Facebook (/PalmettoSeries), Twitter (@PalmettoSeries) and Instagram (@PalmettoSeries).