The Sixth Annual Gate City Soup Bowl concluded on Saturday, Oct. 5, with not only a 21-7 victory for the Quaker football team, but a victory for the entire Piedmont Triad as the combined efforts of Guilford and Greensboro College were able to collect over 450 cans of food for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina.The spirited rivalry between Guilford College and Greensboro College commenced seven years ago. As the brainchild of Greensboro College president Dr. Craven Williams, who conceived of a food-drive competition between the schools during the week prior to the game.

“It’s a good way for people to come together and help others. This is one contest where everyone wins,” said Claire Dixon, coordinator of Guilford’s Bonner Scholars Program.

Guilford’s 21-7 victory over the Pride snapped a two-game losing streak and evens the Soup Bowl series between the teams at three games each. The Quaker’s offensive line won the Quaker’s MVP award.

The line helped the team come back from a lackluster first-half performance in the second half when the team rushed for 112 yards in just five minutes.

Junior running back Marcus Ballard was pleased with the game’s outcome. “We had a solid and disciplined performance, which was the key to us winning. All the pieces fit together perfectly,” he said.

Two new elements of the week included the ability to donate food in honor of individual football players. The football player able to rally the most food donations in his name, would then be crowned Soup Bowl King, a position which had never before existed.

Junior defensive lineman Eric Welch was King. “I’m very proud of the efforts of the Guilford community, and I’m glad that I was able to contribute to such an important cause,” he said.

In addition, the African American Cultural Society sponsored a dance for students from both schools in the Commons. Unfortunately, turnout for the event was quite disappointing. “I think it was a good idea, just a bad night. It would have been nice if there had been a more positive turnout,” said senior Desiree Wilkinson, coordinator of the event.

The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, the beneficiary of the week’s efforts, is in the midst of an area-wide push for food donations.

“We are always looking for donations,” outreach director for Second Harvest, Harold Moag said, “but even more importantly, the need for volunteers is more critical than ever. We need people at over 26 Harris Teeter locations on Oct. 26 to help collect goods.”

“We need volunteers at Four Seasons Mall on Halloween night to help break down our hunger display,” Moag added.

Contact James Shields, director of community learning, for more information.