Rice wins every time
Jan 14, 2020
NEW ORLEANS, LA – It was a sure bet that the Tigers would win last night’s College Football Playoff National Championship. The question was which Tigers, the ones from Louisiana State University or those from Clemson? And the answer is: the Rice Ones!
Last Saturday, volunteers from both schools came together in a show of sportsmanship to help feed the hungry by packaging more than two tons of Louisiana-grown rice donated by Falcon Rice Mill of Crowley. Second Harvest Food Bank of Great New Orleans & Acadiana hosted the event and plans to distribute the rice to food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, hospitals, and schools throughout south Louisiana.
“Rice was definitely the star of this event,” said Natasha Curley, food sourcing specialist at Second Harvest. “It not only brought fans of two different teams together for a good cause, but the thousands of pounds of rice that was repackaged will go on to provide meals for many families in need.”
The issue of hunger in America became front and center during college football season this year when LSU quarterback Joe Burrows won the Heisman Trophy and used his time on the dais to call attention to the poverty in his hometown in southeast Ohio. After Burrow’s impassioned speech about the struggles people in that area have experienced, donations to the local food pantry soared to $500,000.
“Over the years, we’ve donated rice to help feed families through Second Harvest Food Bank, but this project was really special because of the National Championship game, and the LSU Tigers being part of that experience,” said Robert Trahan, co-owner of Falcon Rice Mill and chair of the USA Rice Domestic Promotions Committee. “We donated a truckload of rice to them and then their volunteers repacked it in four-pound bags to include in the food baskets they hand out.”
“Rice is an ideal food for fighting hunger because it has the ability to feed many off of small quantities,” said Curley. “We are forever grateful to the Falcon Rice family and all the Tiger fans who teamed up with us to help tackle hunger.”
By the way, Louisiana State University defeated Clemson, 42-25. Three cheers for rice and Geaux Tigers!