Following Mizzou victory in the Cotton Bowl, Gov. Nixon presents ham, turkey to Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri

Following the Mizzou Tigers' victory in the Cotton Bowl, Gov. Jay Nixon visited the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri in Columbia to present food bank executive director Peggy Kirkpatrick with a ham and smoked turkey from Burgers' Smokehouse, California.

The Governor was joined by representatives of the University of Missouri Athletic Department, as the ham and turkey were part of a friendly wager between Gov. Nixon, a 1978 graduate of the University of Missouri and a 1981 graduate of the University's School of Law, and Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, a 1977 OSU graduate, on the outcome of this year's Cotton Bowl game played between the University of Missouri and Oklahoma State University on Jan. 3.

"Gov. Fallin and I made this wager in the spirit of friendly competition, but also with a worthwhile goal in mind - to call attention to those who need a helping hand right now," Gov. Nixon said. "Just as the Cowboys turned over something valuable at a crucial time on Friday night, so I am encouraging Missourians to give generously to food banks and other charitable organizations that help our fellow citizens when they need help the most."

Gov. Nixon wagered the meat products from Burgers' against a collection of food products from Oklahoma businesses, with the winnings going to a food bank in either Missouri or Oklahoma.

Since the Tigers were victorious, the Oklahoma products will be sent to the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, but Gov. Nixon presented the Missouri wager, donated by Burgers' Smokehouse, to the food bank in Columbia as well.