Conway police, fire to play football to end hunger

CONWAY — Local police will face off against local firefighters under the lights on Wednesday, Oct. 14, for a flag football game benefiting End 68 Hours of Hunger.

The Conway Police Department and Conway fire departments will compete in the “Battle of the Badges” at 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at Kennett High School. Admission is free, with monetary and non-perishable food donations requested to go to End 68 Hours of Hunger.

“I was so honored when Detective Cory Brandon reached out to say they were doing the Battle of the Badges and supporting End 68 Hours of Hunger,” said Mandy McDonald of End 68 Hours of Hunger. “It's going to be a great time and all for a really great cause!”

The local non-profit packs and delivers about 200 bags of food each week to area schoolchildren. The program serves all schools in SAU 9 and SAU 13, as well as Robert Frost Charter School, Northeast Woodland Chartered Public School, Conway Area Head Start, Children Unlimited and Vaughan Learning Center.

End 68 Hours of Hunger also maintains food closets at the middle and high schools that students can access.

According to McDonald, each bag contains about $14-$16 worth of food, including three dinners, two lunches, two breakfasts and snacks to share.

“We are 100 percent volunteer, and every dollar raised or donated goes to buy food and stays local,” McDonald said.

According to their website, the types of foods they would like donated include peanut butter and jelly in plastic containers; mayonnaise; crackers; pretzels; canned beef stew; canned pasta (Beefaroni or ravioli); canned soup; canned beans; Hormel Compleats meals; canned fruit (no plastic tops please, they break easily); granola bars/nutrition bars; instant flavored rice or noodles; instant flavored mashed potatoes; canned tuna or chicken, 10 ounce or smaller cans; instant oatmeal individual packets; pudding cups; fruit snacks; cereal; fruit snacks; cereal; and macaroni and cheese.

For the past few years, the police and fire departments have been playing hockey games for local charities. In March, police beat the firefighters 7-2. The hockey game raised money for the Child Advocacy Center of Carroll County.

The Sun asked Police Chief Chris Mattei if he likes the police department's chances.

"Of course I do," said Mattei. "We will not be denied a victory."

More information is available on the End 68 Hours of Hunger-MWV Facebook page or at end68hoursofhunger.org. McDonald can also be reached at conway@end68hoursofhunger.org.