logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
news
September 27, 2023
Oklahoma and Texas turn rivalry into competition to fight food Insecurity

NORMAN — Throughout the month of September, the University of Oklahoma Food Pantry will be competing with the University of Texas’s food pantry, the UT Outpost, to see which pantry can receive the most shelf-sustainable food.

The competition has been named the “Red River Food Fight” and the winner will be named the “Red River Food Fight Champion.”

Matt Marks, campus care coordinator and director of the OU Food Pantry, said they are hoping this competition will help both universities as they try to combat the above-average rates of food insecurity within each of the respective states.

“It’s a fun way to celebrate a historic rivalry,” Marks said. “There’s a lot of competitiveness on the football field, but we are coming together to combat food insecurity and hunger, which plagues both our states. Texas and Oklahoma are two of the hungrier states in our nation and this is a great way to come together to take steps to solve this problem. We’ve got a great relationship with the pantry down in Texas, and just had great conversations with them to bring this together and unite around a very heated game to try to take care of people within our communities.”

Royce Coleman, sophomore biochemistry major in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences and OU Food Pantry associate director of campus engagement, said he began having conversations with UT last fall.

While there was immediate interest, the timeline was too near to effectively execute the drive. But this year, the timing was right.

“The initial goal of the competition was to utilize our historic rivalry and our extremely passionate fan bases toward benefiting both of our food pantries, which in turn would allow us to better provide for our students and staff,” Coleman said. “We are hopeful that the many fans of this rivalry (the greatest college rivalry in the nation, if I may say so myself) will join us in promoting this competition and help us combat the food insecurity that exists on our campuses.”

Valeria Martin, assistant director for basic needs at the University of Texas at Austin, said there was no hesitation when the OU Food Pantry representatives approached them.

“We were so excited when the OU Food Pantry team approached us with the idea to collaborate in a friendly competition for the benefit of our campus pantries,” Martin said. “Our goal for the Red River Food Fight is to raise awareness about UT Outpost in our community. Drawing on the rivalry and competition helps energize our campus around supporting UT Outpost and keeping the pantry stocked while making more students aware of UT Outpost as a resource.”

The winner of the Red River Food Fight will be announced on Oct. 7, the day of the Red River Rivalry football game. Boxes to donate canned goods and shelf-sustainable food to the OU Food Pantry have been scattered across campus; donations also may be made directly to the food pantry. Other items and monetary donations are always welcomed but will not go toward the competition.

Texan wins NPFL tournament
A: Main, news
Texan wins NPFL tournament
By JUSTIN BROUILLARD 
June 25, 2025
After a storm-delayed start, the 2025 National Professional Fishing League Stop Four ended with fireworks. Texas pro Chad Marler stole the show on Finale Friday with a clutch 17-pound, 11-ounce bag, a...
A: Main, news
City Manager implements new core values
June 25, 2025
City Manager Jacob Foos has announced the implementation of a new set of core values designed to guide employee behavior, enhance public trust, and ensure exceptional service delivery for the City of ...
A: Main, news
Woman barefooted and pulling toy wagon fights officer
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
June 25, 2025
A barefooted 23-year-old Oktaha woman who was walking near I-40 pulling a toy wagon missing its front wheels has been arrested for assault and battery on a police officer, conspiracy to perform an act...
When death steals a first-class friend
A: Main, news
When death steals a first-class friend
By LENORE BECHTEL 
June 25, 2025
I may have been the last person— other than her murderer—to talk to Selby Minner before her murder on Monday, June 9. She and I planned to meet that day, but when we talked by phone around 4:30 p.m., ...
A: Main, news
Minor leads lawmen on wild chase
June 25, 2025
A juvenile driving a stolen 2020 white Jeep Compass led lawmen on a chase that exceeded 110 miles per hour on U.S. 69 shortly after midnight on Friday, June 20. After the Eufaula Police Department was...
A: Main, news
Ex Pittsburg County jailer charged with attempting to rob Lakeside Pharmacy
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
June 25, 2025
A former Pittsburg County jailer, who was named a Detention Officer of the Year in 2024, has been arrested and charged with attempted robbery with a weapon and child neglect. Jose Kirkes, 33, of McAle...
United for Oklahoma
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Smelser to become county treasurer July 1
A: Main, news
Smelser to become county treasurer July 1
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
June 25, 2025
Kimberly Smelser has been first deputy in the McIntosh County Treasurer’s Office since January 2021. On Tuesday, July 1, she will become county treasurer, replacing Betty Whisenhunt, whose final day i...
Sweet girl
A: Main, news
Sweet girl
June 25, 2025
This sweet girl is looking for her family or a new family. Call Jan Pipkins at 918-617-1562 for more information.
Texanna Lady Crafters
news
Texanna Lady Crafters
By HELEN TREMAIN 
June 25, 2025
TLC continues to grow and add new members. Fresh ideas come with new crafters and unique crafting products for our store.This is in part due to the donations we receive from Eufaula and surrounding co...
news
Library News
By AMANDA GRANTHAM BRANCH MANAGER 
June 25, 2025
We are already halfway through our Summer Reading Program and have many fun things planned for the second half. Join us at the library! We have Summer Reading calendars available at the circulation de...
news
McAlester man drowns
June 25, 2025
Authorities reported that Arturo Villegas-Rodriguez, 23, of McAlester, drowned on Lake Eufaula shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday. The Marine Enforcement Division of the Department of Public Safety is in...
Facebook

THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
100 N. 2nd Street
Eufaula, OK 74432

(918) 689-2191

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy