The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank will launch the Second Annual King of the River Food Drive on Friday, pitting the cities of Kenai and Soldotna against one another in a friendly competition to donate the most food.

When the drive begins, food can be donated at the food bank or at either city’s chamber of commerce. The winning city will be the one that gathers the most nonperishable food or monetary donations during the week. In addition to the bragging rights, the winning city’s mayor will throw the opening pitch at the Peninsula Oilers game on July 12.

In promoting the event last year, food bank staff said they were excited to put on a larger-scale summer food drive while also reawakening some of the classic rivalries between the two cities.

“When you donate, make sure to tell the person taking in your donation which city you’re donating from,” information about the drive reads.

The Oilers game capping off the drive will have free admission provided by the food bank, Oilers and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula, as well as free hot dogs and drinks prepared by local representatives.

Soldotna Vice Mayor Lisa Parker threw the first pitch at that year’s Fourth of July game, where Food Bank staff were also joined by Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel and state legislators Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, and Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, at the grill.

Around 37,000 pounds of food were donated, with Soldotna reigning victorious by putting up more than 20,000 pounds.

For more information, find “Kenai Peninsula Food Bank” on Facebook or visit kpfoodbank.org.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.