PICKENS — For the seventh time in eight years, Pickens High emerged as the winner of the Ultimate Food Fight Trophy as the top fundraising school in the Meals on Wheels Sam Wyche Food Fight Bowl.

Pickens students raised a total of $8,625 during this year’s competition. Over the last eight years, PHS students have raised a total of $22,387 in support of Pickens County Meals on Wheels.

The results of the competition were announced at halftime of the Blue Flame’s final regular-season football game against Belton-Honea Path on Oct. 30, when student council advisor Brittany Reid and student council members raised the trophy in victory for a job well done.

“The student council and I would like to thank the community and the faculty and staff at Pickens High School for giving to such a worthy cause,” Reid said. “The students worked extremely hard this year to raise money for Meals on Wheels. It’s great to see young people work together for a cause, and they are true leaders in the school.”

The Ultimate Food Fight is a fundraising competition between all four county high schools, and one component of the annual Meals on Wheels Sam Wyche Food Fight Bowl. For a second straight year, students from Daniel, Easley, Liberty and Pickens competed for the Ultimate Food Fight trophy by seeing who could raise the most money for Meals on Wheels. Students earned credit toward their goal by collecting donations, holding special events and volunteering in PCMOW programs. Combined, the schools raised an incredible $17,883.

Presenting sponsor Save-A-Lot of Pickens has supported the students’ fundraising efforts and Meals on Wheels. For a third straight year, Save-A-Lot contributed $5,000 to kickstart the students’ fundraising efforts. During a special check presentation at halftime of Pickens’ game on Oct. 30, Jayne Kloth of Save-A-Lot presented a $5,000 donation to Pickens County Meals on Wheels.

The annual Meals on Wheels Sam Wyche Food Fight Bowl was created in 2008 with the idea of harnessing the fierce rivalry between Pickens and Easley into a signature fundraising event to help Pickens County Meals on Wheels feed the community’s homebound elderly.

The Meals on Wheels Sam Wyche Food Fight Bowl has grown to be the largest fundraising event for Pickens County Meals on Wheels, having raised a total of $206,701, the equivalent of 41,340 meals over the past eight years.

“We are so proud of what each school accomplished and thankful for the community’s support of this event,” PCMOW director Meta Bowers said. “Each contribution assists our organization in providing a cure for hunger, loneliness and isolation for over 550 seniors across Pickens County.”