10th Annual Friday Knights Hunger Bowl Asking for Your Support

Support for the 10th Annual Friday Knights Hunger Bowl More Critical Than Ever as St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry Faces Supply Crisis

Evansville, IN — As the community rallies for the 10th Annual Friday Knights Hunger Bowl on September 11, the need for support is more pressing than ever before. Over the last nine years, over $160,000 has been raised through efforts of the area Catholic Grade and High Schools, the ten area Knights of Columbus Councils, 4^th Degree Knights of Columbus Assembly, Columbiettes Auxiliary and at the football game and donations from the community. Each school and Knights of Columbus group determines how they raise funds. As successful as we have been, the needs continue to grow and more help is needed. That’s where you come in.

Jesus’ teaching on feeding the hungry, Matthew 25:35–40, states: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Announcing our TITLE TOUCHDOWN SPONSOR for 2026 is Tri-State Bearing Company, located at 2108 N. Fares Avenue, Evansville, IN–https://www.tristate-bearing.com/. Owner Jim Elsner is excited to be the title sponsor for 2026. “The work that SVdP Food Pantry provides to address the needs of the hungry has a significant impact in addressing the needs of the people of the Evansville area, and we are excited to do our part in making the FRIDAY KNIGHTS HUNGER BOWL a success.”

The number of households seeking assistance continues to climb; many of them are first-time visitors struggling to keep up with inflation and food insecurity.

Sobering stats from the last fiscal year include:

Over 95,000 food boxes were distributed, weighing over 340 tons
Regular days when 100+ families are served
$154,000 spent on food purchases, up from $90,000 the year before
A drop in available food from Tri-State Food Bank, making direct purchases more necessary

“We are doing everything we can to meet the growing demand, but we can’t do it alone,” said Ashley Newell, Executive Director. “The Hunger Bowl has always been a lifeline for us, and this year we’re asking the community to step up like never before.”

While the Hunger Bowl began as a friendly competition between Reitz Memorial and Mater Dei, it has evolved into a full-fledged community effort. In recent years, foundations, businesses, trusts, schools, and Knights of Columbus Councils, Assembly and Women’s Auxiliary have joined forces to lift up their neighbors through the gift of giving.

As the Food Pantry stretches to meet unprecedented need, your support, whether by attending the game, donating online, or spreading the word, makes a real and lasting difference. Every donation makes a difference for families in need. Donations can be made directly to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry online at: https://www.fridayknightshungerbowl.org or mailed to SVdP Food Pantry, 809 N. Lafayette Avenue, Evansville, IN 47711.

Listed below are links to learn more.