PULLMAN, Wash. — The Washington State football team’s 52-31 victory over Oregon State on Saturday will be felt by more than just the players and fans of either team. With the game’s combined score of 83 points, food banks will prove to be the true winners of the contest.
The Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) and Oregon Potato Commission (OPC) placed a friendly wager on the outcome of the game. The bet was that for every point scored during the game, 500 pounds of potatoes would be donated to a food bank in the winning team’s state. The donation to be made by the commission and growers whose team ended up on the losing end. Based on the outcome of Saturday’s game, the OPC will gift food banks in Washington State with some 41,500 pounds of potatoes.
Although WSU won the game, Oregon food banks will also enjoy the winnings. The WSPC will match the OPC’s dontation and also provide 41,500 pounds of potatoes to local food banks. As a result, food banks across Washington and Oregon will receive a total of 83,000 pounds of potatoes.
“The outcome of the game isn’t as much about which commission will have bragging rights for the next year—it’ss much more about helping out local food banks during the fast-approaching holiday season when their needs are greatest,” said WSPC executive director Chris Voigt. “That’s why we are more than happy to match the bet for the worthwhile cause of helping those communities.”
“It’s pretty remarkable to think that 83,000 pounds of potatoes will be going to food banks in both states," said OPC executive director Bill Brewer. “We’ve worked with food banks in Oregon for many years, and we realize they are often busiest during the holiday season. It’s great to know this donation will help area food banks during this critical time.”
Both organizations will be working with food banks in each state to arrange for the deliveries of potatoes in the coming weeks. It is estimated that the donation will provide more than 250,000 servings to people across Washington and Oregon.
Source: KXLY News