Numerals and empty calories were king in the Student Center Ballroom last Thursday as "Beat Bama Bingo 'n Chicken" got into full swing.
Auburn Residence Hall Association hosted the event to gather supplies for the Beat Bama Food Drive.
It is one of several events organizations on campus have held that accept canned goods for admission.
"AuRHA Beat Bama Bingo 'n Chicken was started last year to raise cans and awareness among the residence halls for the Beat Bama Food Drive," said Luke Howard, sophomore in wireless engineering and president of AuRHA. "This year was even bigger than last year. We had 35-plus cans brought in to donate to the food drive and almost doubled our attendance."
Howard said the association pushed for awareness of its event this year and had a great turn out.
On-campus residents were allowed into the event for free.
Off-campus residents either donated five cans of food or $5 for the cause.
This granted attendees access to the fried chicken and a bingo card, though an additional bingo card could be acquired for every additional can or dollar contributed.
"For the past 15 years, Auburn has been taking on Alabama in a different kind of competition - the food drive," said Millie Harrison, sophomore in biomedical sciences and assistant director of the food drive. "Since the food drive started, in combined efforts with Alabama we have raised over 1.5 million pounds of food, which is incredible. Last year Alabama beat us by about 59,000 pounds."
Harrison said the goal this year is to raise 250,000 pounds of food.
They have collected less than 44,000 pounds of cans so far, so Harrison said this next week and a half is crucial for getting in food.
A table of various prizes was emptied as students won bingo games, adding to the appeal of the event.
Students involved with the food drive spoke regarding its mission, which is to aid in the fight against world hunger, one can at a time.
"The food drive is going great, but we could always be doing better," said Grace Fleming, director of the Beat Bama Food Drive. "We have been working with the Auburn Alumni Association and the City of Auburn to help the event grow, and we are trying for one final push in this last week."
Donations can also be made online at www.beatbamafooddrive.com.
All checks should be made to the East Alabama Food Bank.
Barrels can be found on campus in the Student Center, Chick-fil-A and the Ralph Brown Draughon Library, as well as off campus at Wal-Mart and Morris Avenue Intermediate School.
The last day to donate is next Thursday, Nov. 19.
Harrison said the main goal of the Beat Bama Food Drive is for students to reach out to Auburn and its surrounding areas in order to help those in need.
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