Event to raise money for VBCPS Beach Bags program
The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office invites the community to come out this Saturday, Nov. 18, for a day filled with family, fun and football for a good cause during Sheriff Rocky Holcomb’s inaugural Turkey Bowl.
The Turkey Bowl will pit public safety against education in a flag football game to raise money for the Beach Bags program, a joint effort between Virginia Beach City Public Schools and the Virginia Beach Education Foundation to provide take-home meal bags for kids in need. The game will be held at Kempsville High School. Doors open at 10 a.m., with kickoff at 11 a.m.
VBSO deputies, the Virginia Beach Police Department and Virginia Beach Emergency Medical Services will take on educators, coaches and staff from Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
Admission will be $5 cash, and all proceeds – including from concessions – will go to the Beach Bags program to feed food-insecure students on weekends and school breaks, when those without school meals may go hungry. It will also support the growing demand for the program. Last year Beach Bags distributed 45,500 bags to students at an average cost of $5.25 per bag. The bags are filled with 10 shelf-stable, individual, easy-to-open food items donated or purchased through wholesalers. Demand has more than doubled since 2019, when the cost of a bag was $3, and administrators expects that demand will continue to increase.
In addition to the flag football game, Sheriff Rocky Holcomb’s Turkey Bowl will include a halftime show with public school band musicians, cheerleaders and dancers; a concession stand with hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza; and equipment and vehicles from Virginia Beach first responders. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and a raffle for special prizes.
“No child should go hungry, and the Beach Bags program ensures that those students who rely on school meals have food available on weekends and school breaks,” said Sheriff Rocky Holcomb. “As costs grow and demand increases, we’re coming together with our public safety partners and our outstanding Virginia Beach educators to raise money to support this important effort. I’m so excited for the inaugural Turkey Bowl and proud of our community for coming together to meet this need. To our Virginia Beach City Public Schools opponents: I hope you bring your A game and I’ll see you on the field!”
Any questions or requests for additional information may be directed to Public Information Officer Toni Guagenti or Strategic Communications Consultant Kathy Hieatt at [email protected] or 757-385-8446.