It's Thanksgiving week across the country, but in Alabama it's all about the Iron Bowl.
Students at both the University of Alabama and Auburn University have already been competing -- for a good cause. They spent a month and a half collecting nonperishable food items for needy families in Alabama.
UA students came out on top with a final total of 309,194 pounds of food. Auburn students managed to collect 255,196 pounds.
Since their inception, the food drives have collected more than 3 million pounds of nonperishable food for those in need throughout the state. The University of Alabama's campaign benefits the West Alabama Food Bank, and Auburn's supports the Food Bank of East Alabama.
Jean Rykaczewski is the executive director of the West Alabama Food Bank. She says the students at both schools really stepped up this year.
"For the state, it's amazing. I mean, there's so many people that will benefit from this. Food insecurity is not just a holiday thing, so this food will take us well into the spring, which is a great thing for us, trying to get out that many pounds of food."
For more information or for volunteer opportunities, visit either the West Alabama Food Bank or the Food Bank of East Alabama's websites.