Excitement is building as the Chargers Football Booster Club and the Croxford Football Committee prepare for today's annual Cram the Ram food drive.
This charitable event will coincide with the highly anticipated Turkey Bowl, where the W.H. Croxford Cavaliers will face off against the Bert Church Chargers in an action-packed football game.
The game starts at 6:00 p.m. tonight at Airdrie’s Ed Eggerer Athletic Park. This year marks the third time the food drive will feature a friendly competition between the two teams, who aim to exceed last year's totals of nearly $2,000 in cash and online donations, along with almost 2,000 pounds of food.
In a spirited effort to support the Airdrie Food Bank, Airdrie Dodge has provided two Ram trucks for fans to fill with non-perishable food donations. Cash contributions will also be accepted, and a QR code will be available for online donations.
"Today’s Chargers and Cavaliers are tomorrow’s community leaders," said Jennifer Thompson, president of the Chargers Football Booster Club. "We hope events like this inspire them and their peers to keep helping their communities as they enter adulthood. Both teams have fantastic support from students, parents, and fans who are eager to give back, and adding a competitive element to the food drive encourages even more donations for the food bank."
Thanksgiving is approaching, making the timing of this event particularly poignant. While many families will prepare festive meals, others may struggle to celebrate.
"Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the generosity of our city," Thompson said. "With kids back in school, there’s an urgent need for kid-friendly items, like peanut-free granola bars and applesauce, to support the Snack Attack program."
After the game, the Airdrie Food Bank will tally donations from each team. The principal of the losing team has pledged to wear the winning team’s jersey at school, adding a fun twist to the competition. Results will be announced on October 15 or shortly after that.
While Chargers fans have topped the food drive totals for the past two years, the Cavaliers have claimed victory on the football field in the same timeframe. Both teams are eager to see how the rivalry plays out this year.
"The competition is intense, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is to gather as much food and funds for the food bank as possible," Thompson explained.
Fans can contribute by bringing non-perishable food items to the game or donating cash. For those unable to attend, online donations will also be accepted and counted toward each team’s total. Supporters can visit the food bank's donation page and select Chargers Football Fans or Cavaliers Football Fans in the fund section.
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