Pickens County Schools Have Raised Over $125,934 for Meals on Wheels Through Annual Competition

5th Annual Pickens County Meals on Wheels-Sam Wyche Food Fight Bowl

It was a sea of blue and green last Friday night as the Pickens and Easley football teams took to the field, facing off for the 5th Annual Meals on Wheels- Sam Wyche Food Fight Bowl. Fans of all ages came out to support their team, Pickens vs. Easley, and Meals on Wheels.

Kicking off the event was a pre-game donation by presenting sponsor Save-A-Lot Food Store, located at 529 Hampton Ave. Pickens, SC. Representing Save-A-Lot; Macy Goodwin (Senior at Easley High), Mike Powell (Save-a-Lot District Manager), Scott Masters (Pickens Store Manager) and Jayne Kloth (Goodwin Group Holdings), presented a check totaling $5000 to Meta Bowers, Executive Director of Pickens County Meals on Wheels.

Meals on Wheels is also very grateful to other sponsors who made this event so successful: Reliable Automatic Sprinkler, Co., Pickens Federal Credit Union, Gwinn’s Tire, South Carolina Bank and Trust, Tri Tech USA, Jet Expeditors, Redneck Engineering, Griffin Ebenezer Baptist Church, Pickens and Easley Rotary Clubs, Easley, BlueBerry Frog and Pickens Students, Alumni, and Fans.

Fundraising efforts between the Easley and Pickens students took place over their summer break and prior to the start of school on Tuesday, August 21. “The students knew raising money over their summer break would be tough, but that didn’t hold them back. In fact, they accepted the challenge head on and have outdone themselves once again,” says Bowers. “Every year they get a little more competitive and creative. It is exciting to hear them plan their roadmap to victory.”

At half-time spectators directed their attention to the two Grasshopper Mowers positioned in the end zone. As the mowers revved their motors and started down the field, both Pickens and Easley cheerleaders pumped up the crowd as everyone watched to see which school would be revealed as the winner of the “Ultimate Food Fight” trophy…. And once again, Pickens will have its name engraved on the “Ultimate Food Fight” trophy for raising a total of $23,572!

Combined, both schools raised a total of $32,934, and over the past 5 years they have raised an amazing $126,934 for Meals on Wheels, or a total of 25,387 meals. “I am so proud of the students from both Pickens and Easley. Every penny they raise allows us to provide nutritious meals, companionship and a safety-net to the homebound across Pickens County,” states Bowers.

This game commemorated the 73rd match-up between these rivals, and marked the first rival game to be played at Pickens High’s new stadium. Easley controlled the game from the beginning, dousing the Blue Flame, 40-7. Easley now holds 2-3 record on the field and will retain ownership of the “Food Fight” trophy for yet another year. The “Food Fight” trophy was presented to Coach Chad Smith and the rest of the victorious Easley Green Wave Team.

“Meals on Wheels couldn’t do this without the dedication and hard work of the students, the support of the community, and the leadership within our schools and district office” states Bowers, “In addition to an excellent education, these students are being taught the value character, integrity, and community- making them great leaders for tomorrow.”

All of the monies raised will benefit Pickens County Meals on Wheels, a 501 (c)(3), non-profit, charitable organization that serves nutritious meals each week day to 230 homebound in Pickens County.

The combination of donations, both large and small, is what made this event a huge success. On behalf our board of directors, volunteers and those we serve, thank you. When we needed you the most, you were there!