Schools direct Menifee Bowl spirit to Community Cupboard

Before we dust off all the usual terms such as "heated rivalry", "local battle" and the like, Menifee 24/7's week-long preview coverage of the annual Menifee Bowl high school football game kicks off with a gesture of unity and compassion for others.

The athletic departments of Paloma Valley and Heritage high schools are joining forces in soliciting donations for the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard, which provides food and other supplies for local residents in need. The food drive, which will be conducted from Monday through Friday, is being promoted with the motto "2 Schools, 1 City".

In a video posted online, Paloma Valley principal Jennifer Thomasian and Heritage principal Frank Arce ask residents to bring two cans of non-perishable food items to either of the schools sometime this week. The first 200 people to do so at each school will received a limited edition T-shirt that celebrates the two schools and the City of Menifee.

The Menifee Bowl, traditionally played the last week of the regular season, features not only Menifee's rival schools, but also the top two teams in the Sunbelt League this season. Both teams are undefeated in league play and have lost only once all season. The winner of this game wins the league championship and receives the higher seeding for the upcoming CIF Southern Section playoffs.

The game will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday at Paloma Valley High. To view the promotional video regarding the food drive, click here.