TEXARKANA, Ark. -- The Farmers Bank and Trust Live United Bowl events start today with the arrival of both football teams.
Southeast Oklahoma State University is expected at Hilton Garden Inn by 4 p.m., and Emporia State University is scheduled to arrive at 4:30 p.m. at Hampton Inn. The teams will compete Dec. 3, with kickoff at noon at Arkansas High School's Razorback Stadium.
First, the visiting squads will headline several community events.
Players from both teams will compete in a sweet potato packing competition at 5:30 p.m. today at Harvest Texarkana.
"It's great to have the players come out and participate in the food bank, and it really brings awareness to the cause of hunger relief," Executive Director Camille Wrinkle said. "It gives them an opportunity to see what we do locally, because they're coming in from other towns."
On Friday, the teams fan out across the city for separate events. Emporia State will head to Arkansas Middle School for a PRIDE activity before another event at Haven Home.
Southeast Oklahoma will make their way to Runnin' WJ Ranch to spend time with children receiving therapy through horseback riding.
"When they come to us, usually we get some of our kiddos to come out and show them what we do here at the ranch," Executive Director Brittany Rogers said.
Rogers said the staff enjoys having the players interact with the children and seeing the joy they all experience at the ranch every day.
James Bramlett, market president for Texarkana and Ashdown, said Farmers Bank and Trust has partnered with United Way to host the bowl for the past three years.
"It's just a great opportunity for us to continue to work with the community as a whole and with the United Way, which is a fantastic cause," Brown said. "They help so many agencies in the community with their long-term goals of helping those that need service."
Later Friday, the teams and community will gather for a banquet (6 p.m.) and pep rally (8 p.m.) at Texarkana Convention Center on Cowhorn Creek.
The Live United Bowl has raised over $48,000 for United Way of Greater Texarkana since the inaugural game in 2013.
According to its website, the bowl is played by two of the top NCAA Division II teams.
This story has been corrected. A previous version misstated James Bramlett's name and job title.