Schools
Avon vs. Avon Lake Football Game a Food Drive Touchdown for CRS
SOUPer Bowl food drive to help local non-profit
While and high schools take to the field Thursday for their 2011 football opener, another friendly battle will take place off the field.
The communities will be part of the SOUPer Bowl, a friendly competition to collect non-perishable foods and paper products for . Collection trucks will be at Avon Stadium located behind before the game. Monetary contributions will also be accepted, with each one dollar contribution counting as five pounds.
CRS event chairperson Pamela Ohradzansky said this is the second year for the event.
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“I came up with the idea of having an Avon vs. Avon Lake food drive ‘contest’ last summer when I realized that the two high schools would be playing each other in football for the first time,” she said. “The idea grew into something I never expected. We received incredible support from the superintendents, athletic directors, staff, students and community members from both Avon and Avon Lake. We decided to have a perpetual trophy for the winner because the two teams are scheduled to play each other for 10 years.”
Avon Lake won last year's SOUPer Bowl. The communities combined to donate $7,000 and 4,000 pounds of food.
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There will be drop-off locations throughout Avon and Avon Lake including all the schools. will be collecting non-perishable items during kindergarten orientation on Wednesday.
CRS operates an on-site food pantry. Items needed include peanut butter, cereal, canned meats and fruits, paper products, deodorant, and cleaning products.
“People may not think on Avon and Avon Lake as communities where people may be in need,” Susan Poole, CRS executive director, said. “The economy is hitting some very hard and our two communities are no different. We have seen an increase in the last few years and we don’t see that need decreasing any time soon. There is quite a need here.”
While food items are the main priority, Poole said, paper products and toiletries also are essential because food stamps cannot be used to purchase those items.
“The event is a great showing of community spirit,” Poole said. “It’s all about neighbors helping neighbors and giving back in their own community. It’s a perfect tie in to get schools involved and help support the inventory.”