PICKENS — The archrival Pickens Blue Flame and Easley Green Wave will clash this Friday night in the fifth annual Pickens County Meals on Wheels Sam Wyche Food Fight Bowl, scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. at Pickens High School.

The teams will battle on the field for ownership of the coveted Food Fight Bowl trophy. The Green Wave turned the tide on the Blue Flame last year, dominating in their last home game in the rivalry at Brice Field. This year’s game will be played at the new Pickens High Stadium, where Easley will vigorously defend its claim to the Food Fight Bowl trophy and Pickens will try to improve its 3-1 record in the series and take the trophy away.

In its fifth year, the Food Fight Bowl has become an event that reminds locals about the important role Meals on Wheels, and its team of caring volunteers, plays in the communities across Pickens County. The students of Easley and Pickens are harnessing their fierce rivalry to rally the community in support of homebound elderly and disabled citizens.
“These individuals who are from a generation that has shaped who we are today: our grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, veterans, and neighbors,” Pickens County Meals on Wheels executive director Meta Bowers said. “Regardless of age, those served by Meals on Wheels have experienced a significant decline in their health, their independence, and over time, their ability to perform the most basic daily activities.”
Over the past four years students from both schools have raised a total of $94,000, the equivalent of 18,800 meals. Last year, each school raised more than $30,000 for a total of $60,000. With this extraordinary result, a tie was declared, and the Ultimate Food Fight Trophy was awarded to both schools.

“Pickens County Meals on Wheel and the seniors it serves were the biggest winners last year, but this year winner takes all,” said Bowers.
The fundraising goal for this year’s event is 8,000 meals, or $40,000. Both student bodies will be raising money, and the school that raises the most money will win the coveted Ultimate Food Fight trophy. Anticipation about the game is greater than ever. Businesses, churches, civic groups and fans of all ages are eager to get in on the action for the worthwhile cause.

Supporting the students and Meals on Wheels has never been easier or more necessary.
“We are asking the community to support its favorite team, Pickens or Easley,” Bowers said. “Proceeds from this event will help Pickens County Meals on Wheels keep its wheels rolling as we provide meals, companionship and hope to the homebound, elderly and disabled individuals in Pickens County.”

In Tom Ward’s newly released book, The Dirty Thirty, the Easley-Pickens game has been singled out as one of the top 30 rivalries in America. Rivalries are everywhere in football and a good rivalry is good for football. Grasshopper Mowers will once again make the halftime announcement honoring the school that raises the most money for Pickens County Meals on Wheels and the winner of the 2012 Ultimate Food Fight Trophy.

You can support your favorite team and Pickens County seniors by making a donation online at www.pcmow.org, or mailing a check to Pickens County Meals on Wheels P.O. Box 184 Easley, SC 29641. Please call, Meta Bowers at 855-3770 ext. 303 with any questions.