Hoover, Spain Park high schools challenged to battle hunger

As the football teams for Hoover and Spain Park high schools prepare to go head to head on the gridiron Friday night, the two schools are joining together for another battle — the battle against hunger.

Both schools are raising money this week for the Hoover Helps nonprofit group that formed in February 2015 to fight hunger in Hoover. The organization estimates that more than 500 children attending Hoover schools don’t get enough food to eat, so it sends food home each weekend in the backpacks of children identified as needing assistance.

Hoover Helps is challenging fans for each school to help meet the need and seeing which school can raise the most money this week.

This is the second year for this competition. Last year, the goal was to raise $1,000 per school. Hoover fans gave $2,276, and Spain Park fans contributed $2,005, for a total of $4,281, said Greg Bishop, a leader for Hoover Helps.

Donation tables will be at the entrance of the Hoover vs. Spain Park football game at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, with cash, checks and credit cards accepted. However, people also can donate online now at hooverhelps.org or by mailing checks to Hoover Helps at 1658 Lake Cyrus Club Drive, Hoover, AL 35244.

Every dollar raised goes directly into programs to support Hoover children, Bishop said.