Money raised during Battle of the Valleys will go to student food pantry

Grand Valley State University and Saginaw Valley State University will compete in the 16th annual Battle of the Valleys from October 21-27 to gather the most donations for a selected organization.

This year, Grand Valley will raise donations for Replenish, the university's food pantry and food resource for students.

Sharalle Arnold, associate director of the Center for Women and Gender Equity, said food insecurity among college students is a nationwide problem. More than 1,000 Grand Valley students have received assistance from the pantry since it was established in 2009. 

"Replenish aims to restore students for academic success," Arnold said. "It is my hope that Battle of the Valleys is a catalyst for raising funds and awareness around food injustice." 

Replenish started as two small bins in a file cabinet and grew to its current location in room 0074 of the Kirkhof Center on the Allendale Campus. The pantry, which now resembles a small convenience store, provides food and personal care items for students who face financial struggles that affect their food access. 

The university that raises the most money will be announced at halftime during the Grand Valley vs. Saginaw Valley football game October 27 at University Center in Saginaw.

Student Senate has organized a variety of events that will take place throughout the week, including a weeklong, BOTV T-shirt sale. 

• Monday, October 22, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.: Buffalo Wild Wings Percentage Day in Grand Rapids

• Tuesday, October 23, 8 p.m., Kirkhof Center: Pumpkin, Paint and Sip

• Wednesday, October 24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kirkhof Center lobby: Pie Day in Kirkhof Center; Uccello's Percentage Night at Uccello's in Standale, 4-8 p.m.

• Thursday, October 25, 4-9 p.m.: Applebee's Percentage Night in Standale

• Friday, October 26, 6-11 p.m.: Corn Maze Fundraiser at the corn maze in Salem, Michigan

Since Battle of the Valleys began in 2003, Grand Valley and Saginaw Valley have raised more than $400,000 in support of organizations like the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Student Advancement Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Saginaw County, United Way, Laker Children's Fund and S.P.O.R.T.S. (Students Providing Opportunities and Recreation Through Sports).