USC and Clemson Kick-off Palmetto Series Food Drive
Oct. 23, 2017 Today, the University of South Carolina and Clemson University kicked-off the Certified SC Grown Palmetto Series Food Drive in a coordinated effort to benefit Harvest Hope Food Bank and Golden Harvest Food Bank and tackle hunger within their communities.
The winner of this match-up will be announced at the Clemson vs. Carolina football game on November 25.
“It’s always great to see two rivals come together for a common cause in the Palmetto Series. 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,” said Harvest Hope Food Bank CEO Denise Holland. “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.”
The University that raises the most donations in non-perishable foods by November 20 will earn a point for their school towards the 2017-18 Certified SC Grown Palmetto Series standings. 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.
“I am inspired by competitive and passionate students, faculty and community members from Clemson and USC who together are determined to win the most important game: feeding the hungry,” said Golden Harvest Food Bank Executive Director Travis McNeal. “We can always unite to reach out a hand to those in need.”
In South Carolina, one in six South Carolina families struggles to find where the next meal will come from, and one in five children will go to bed hungry every night. By participating in the Palmetto Series Food Drive, Gamecock and Clemson fans alike will come together to fight the statewide battle of food insecurities and support Harvest Hope and Golden Harvest.
“The Palmetto Series Food Drive offers an extremely valuable opportunity for student athletes, Greek Life, and USC students as a whole to come together and fight hunger in the state of South Carolina,” said Travis Morrin of the Gamecocks Swim team. “As part of the Palmetto Series between The University of South Carolina and Clemson, the food drive represents an important community service event that utilizes the best rivalry in sports to benefit the communities that surround us!”
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)
Also, donations can be made at any of the on-campus collection points including:
– 650 Lincoln
– Patterson Hall
– Russell House
– Strom
– Columbia Hall
– Capstone
– South Quad
– West Quad
– East Quad
– Bates
– Bates West
– Fraternity/sorority houses (16)
– Rice
– Dodie Enrichment Center
– Coliseum
Gamecock fans can also text HHFB Cocks to 501501 to donate $10. For more program details or to donate online, please visit http://donate.harvesthope.org/pages/palmetto-series.
“Growing fresh food has always been the focus for many of South Carolina’s farmers,” said Commissioner Hugh Weathers. “Farmers consider it a privilege to be part of the fight on hunger and making sure that families across the state have an option to put healthy, local food on their tables.”
To learn more about the Palmetto Series, visit www.palmettoseries.com. You can also connect online with the Palmetto Series on Facebook (/PalmettoSeries), Twitter (@PalmettoSeries) and Instagram (@PalmettoSeries).
