Local rivalry turns to relief as Hunger Bowl reaches milestone
On a Friday night this fall, two of Evansville’s top high school football programs will plug into a rivalry that stretches back decades — but the competition this time carries a different scoreboard. The 10th annual Hunger Bowl, played as part of the Reitz Bowl matchup between Memorial and Mater Dei, aims to raise money for local food pantries and spotlight food insecurity in the Tri-state.
The Hunger Bowl began as an idea in 2016 when John Sandwell, a Mater Dei graduate, saw high schools in Florida pair a charity drive with a football game and thought Evansville could do more. He enlisted Memorial graduate Mark Hackert, the Knights of Columbus and both schools, and the event has grown each year since.
"I thought we could do better," said Sandwell. "The first year we did that, just over $3,000."
Organizers say the fundraiser has expanded steadily; last season’s haul was about 10 times the initial total. The two rival schools now turn the event into a fundraiser contest of its own, with students, families and alumni competing to raise the most for charity.
Where the money goes and why it matters
Organizers emphasize that 100% of the funds raised through the Hunger Bowl go directly to the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Leaders with the pantry told event organizers the money had a significant impact last season after a longtime grocery supplier stopped providing donations.
"If it had not been for the Hunger Bowl and the generosity of the people in the community coming together for us, I don't know if we would have been able to serve as many people as we did," said Executive Director Ashley Newell.
Local volunteers and charity partners say that partnership — forged through the Hunger Bowl — has helped the pantry maintain service levels during interruptions in other donated sources.
How the event works and community involvement
The Hunger Bowl leverages the existing excitement around the Reitz Bowl rivalry to focus community attention on hunger relief. Fundraising activities have included school-based drives, collection points at game night and direct donations coordinated through the Knights of Columbus and participating schools. Organizers say they evaluate the event year-to-year to add new partners, broaden participation and increase fundraising impact.
- Origin: conceived in 2016 by John Sandwell after seeing similar events in Florida
- Partners: Memorial and Mater Dei high schools, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul
- Beneficiary: St. Vincent de Paul food pantry; all funds directed to pantry operations
Hackert described an iterative approach to growing the event: organizers meet after each season and ask what can be added and who else can be brought in. "Each year somebody has stepped up," he said, noting steady growth in donations and community participation.
Local implications and outlook
For Evansville, the Hunger Bowl represents a model of how school rivalries can be converted into civic benefit. In addition to increasing food bank resources, the event builds volunteer engagement and public awareness of food insecurity in the Tri-state region. School administrators and community leaders see value in linking athletic events to visible acts of service, particularly when they support neighborhood safety nets.
As the event enters its 10th year, organizers are setting a new fundraising target and encouraging broader community involvement. While the first year produced a modest sum, the growth over a decade has made the Hunger Bowl a reliable source of emergency food assistance funding for St. Vincent de Paul — and a regular fixture on Evansville’s autumn calendar.
| Year | Notable detail |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Event founded; first-year fundraising just over $3,000 |
| Most recent season | Organizers say fundraising was about 10 times the first year |
| 2026 (10th annual) | Event continues to route 100% of proceeds to St. Vincent de Paul |
The Hunger Bowl demonstrates how local traditions can be redirected toward urgent needs. As Memorial and Mater Dei prepare to meet on the field, the broader competition for Evansville will be measured not only in touchdowns but in meals delivered to neighbors in need.
