The score of tomorrow’s college football game between the Washington State Cougars and Oregon State Beavers in Corvallis, Ore., will be closely watched, not only to see who will win the game on the field, but also for what the final tally will mean for food banks in both states. The Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) and Oregon Potato Commission (OPC) are once again teaming up to tackle hunger. In the third annual “Potato Bowl,” potato growers from each state are placing a friendly wager on the game’s final outcome.
The bet is that for every point scored during the game, 500 pounds of potatoes will be donated to a food bank in the winning team’s state. The donation will be made by the commission and growers whose team ended up on the losing end.
Last year’s 52-31 victory by Washington State put the OPC on the hook for 41,500 pounds of potatoes to food banks in Washington State. The WSPC and its growers ended up matching the donation for Oregon food banks to ensure that no one in either state would be left out. Last year’s donation of 83,000 pounds surpassed the total donation from the outcome of the first Potato Bowl, which saw 71,000 pounds donated to food assistance programs in the Pacific Northwest.
“This event has proven to be a great way for the potato communities in both states to better serve those within our neighborhoods who are not as fortunate,” says Chris Voigt, executive director of the WSPC, “especially at a time of year when our local food banks see some of their greatest demand as the holiday season is quickly approaching. A side benefit, of course, is knowing that WSU’s football team is 2-0 in Potato Bowl games and with each victory it means the OPC and growers in Oregon have to keep the donations coming!”
The organization from the winning state will select the food assistance network to send potatoes to. The delivery will be made in the upcoming weeks just in time for the holiday season, one of the busiest times for food banks.
“Fans who attend the game can also help,” says OPC executive director Bill Brewer. “We will be giving away free baked potatoes beginning about four hours before the game. Those who stop by will also be able to make a donation to Farmers Ending Hunger. Fans should stop by our potato bar before the game and meet one of our local farmers from Oregon or Washington who will be helping to prepare and serve the potatoes this Saturday.”
Those who will be attending the game have the opportunity to visit the free potato bar, make a donation, and enjoy a complimentary, great-tasting potato before kickoff. The potato bar will be set up on the northeast entrance of OSU’s Reser Stadium. Those who are unable to make it to Corvallis for the game but would still like to help can click here to make a donation.
“In the end, it is pretty remarkable knowing that the region’s food banks and food distribution networks have received a total of 154,000 pounds of fresh and healthy potatoes the past two years,” says Brewer. “We look forward to another high-scoring game to ensure a large donation will be making its way to our communities again this year.”