The Iron Bowl is viewed by many as the biggest rivalry between Auburn and Alabama.
But in the weeks preceding the yearly football match-up, another competition is going on.
The Beat Bama Food Drive is in its 15th year as an annual installment with both universities.
"The drive supports the East Alabama Food Bank," said Jahnna Hall, SGA chief of staff.
In the past 15 years of the competition, more than 1.5 million pounds of food for people across the state have been gathered, according to the Beat Bama Food Drive Web site.
"The purpose of the Beat Bama Food Drive is to reach out to the Auburn community and surrounding areas by providing them with nonperishable food items that will help them through the holiday season," said Millie Harrison, assistant director of the food drive.
In last year's competition, Auburn lost to Alabama by 58,716 pounds of food.
"The food drive's goal this year was 250,000 pounds," Harrison said.
But, as of Monday night, Auburn's collection bins weren't overflowing with donations.
"Currently, we have an estimated 44,000 pounds of food, which is way below our goal," Hall said. "This does not reflect our effort."
Collection bins have been placed at various locations around campus and in community businesses.
The 2009 food drive marks the fifth year the program has included an online component.
From Oct. 12 to Nov. 19, contributors could donate money via the Beat Bama Food Drive Web site, according to how many "pounds" of food they wished to give.
The funds collected in this manner were used to purchase food for the drive, and all donations were tax deductible.
The virtual food drive component put sponsors in levels according to how much food they donated.
These levels were Club Aubie, Club Spirit and Club Samford.
As an incentive for Auburn students, spirit points were awarded to students who donated to the food drive.
"The last time we beat Bama was in 2006," Harrison said. "We've only lost twice since 1999, so we really need to take back the title this year!"
According to www.foodbankofeastalabama.com, the East Alabama Food Bank is a United Way Agency and a member of Feeding America.
The food bank provides food each month to more than 11,800 Alabama citizens.
For every dollar donated, the food bank provides more than 20 pounds of food to distribute. This is enough to provide four meals to a family of four.
The food bank distributes the food through more than 180 member agencies.
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