MEMPHIS – The University of Memphis has teamed with participating area Kroger stores to sell $5 football tickets for the Tigers’ season opener in support of the “Million Meals Challenge.” Memphis opens the 2016 season against Southeast Missouri on Sept. 3 and kickoff is set for 6 p.m. in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
In support of the Mid-South Food Bank Million Meals Challenge, the Tigers will offer a special $5 game ticket available exclusively at 35 area Kroger stores. The Tigers will donate $1 from each ticket sold at the Guest Services desks of area Kroger stores to this worthwhile charity.
“This is the fourth-consecutive year we have partnered with our friends at Kroger to offer $5 tickets,” Director of Athletics Tom Bowen said. “The season opener has certainly become a community event and we are thrilled to partner with Kroger to help some of our neighbors in need.”
The goal is to again sell at least 10,000 tickets in area Kroger stores, which would result in 80,000 meals for local families in need. In other words, for each ticket sold, eight meals are provided to regional families in need.
“Kroger Delta is proud to continue this partnership with The University of Memphis, “said Scot Hendricks, president, Kroger Delta Division. “We encourage our fellow residents to support this opportunity because with each ticket sold, a portion of the proceeds will feed a family in need.”
The University of Memphis again joins the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University, as well as area Kroger stores, in the annual “Million Meals Challenge.” The friendly competition has raised enough funds, food items and volunteer hours to provide over one million meals for those less fortunate in our communities in each year of its existence. Memphis and Mississippi State are both represented by Learfield, and the company’s Tiger Sports Properties and Bulldog Sports Properties teams are based locally to oversee the respective athletics rights relationships.
Tickets for the Southeast Missouri game will be on sale at Kroger stores throughout the Memphis area beginning Tuesday, August 16. There will be 35 Kroger stores across three states and 16 cities selling these special tickets. In previous years, many store locations sold out of their allotment of tickets, so fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early. Fans looking for premium seats outside of the $5 price locations should contact the Memphis ticket office at 901-678-2331.