A food drive conducted during rivalry week between SDSU and USD has resulted in donations totaling more than 17 tons of food for Feeding South Dakota – and another Jackrabbit victory.

SDSU fans raised 18,747 pounds of food, while supporters of USD raised 16,613 pounds. In total, the food will provide 29,467 meals for the state’s largest hunger-relief organization.

“Everyone is a winner as this food will go a long way toward feeding hungry individuals and families during the holiday season,” said Matt Gassen, Feeding South Dakota’s executive director, in a release. “We’re so grateful to our partners in this drive and to the fans for their impressive generosity.”

The event, which was sponsored by the two universities, Hy-Vee, Feeding South Dakota and the rivalry series sponsor, South Dakota Corn, ran throughout the week leading up to the Jacks’ 27-12 win in the football game in Vermillion. Fans deposited food in barrels at nine Hy-Vee grocery stores in Sioux Falls, Brookings and Vermillion. Cash donations also were accepted during Saturday’s Showdown Series football game.

“It was a good-natured competition, and fans from both schools had a lot of fun trying to beat their rivals, but the real winner is Feeding South Dakota,” said Teddi Mueller, industry affairs director for the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council. “It was nice to see the outpouring of support South Dakotans have for each other.”

Food will be distributed locally through food banks and pantries. Items that were collected at Brookings and Vermillion Hy-Vees will be given out through food pantries operated by local churches in those communities.