Denver Trounces Seattle In Super Bowl ... Food Drive Competition

The congregation at Highlands UMC in Denver (credit: Highlands UMC)

DENVER (CBS4) - Denver beats Seattle! It didn't happen on the field, but it did happen in a meaningful competition to feed the hungry.

Denver United Methodist Churches challenged their counterparts in the Northwest to a Super Bowl food drive competition. Collections started about a week ago, ended Sunday, and now the final results are in.

Broncos fans collected more than twice what Seahawks fans did: 102,518 items to about 49,000!

Pastor Brad Laurvick of Highlands United Methodist Church in Denver came up with the friendly rivalry idea, and calls the haul "an amazing accomplishment for a city and team to be proud of."

Every donation site is sending collections to a local food pantry, helping support families in neighborhoods all throughout "Broncos Country."

No one really loses, since food pantries will be well stocked here and in Seattle, Omaha, and altogether cities in nine states by generous fans of both teams.

LINK: United in Orange Food Drive Challenge

- Written by Doug Hoffacker for CBSDenver.com