Team Public Safety looks to even the score against defending champion Team Education; community invited for football, fundraising and family fun.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The rivalry is heating up, and the stakes are bigger than bragging rights as Sheriff Rocky Holcomb's 4th Annual Turkey Bowl returns Thursday, Nov. 5, at Salem High School to raise money for the Virginia Beach Education Foundation's Beach Bags program.
The charity flag football game pits Team Public Safety — featuring members of the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office, Virginia Beach Police Department and Virginia Beach Fire Department — against Team Education, representing Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
Team Education enters this year's matchup with a 2–1 lead in the series after defeating Team Public Safety 43–29 last year. Team Public Safety hopes to even the score, but both teams are united in their mission to support Virginia Beach students.
"This event is about much more than football," said Sheriff Rocky Holcomb. "It's about bringing our community together to make sure children have the food they need when they're not in school. We want to fill the stands, have some fun and make a real difference for our students."
Proceeds from the event benefit the Virginia Beach Education Foundation's Beach Bags program, which provides food to students experiencing food insecurity during weekends and school breaks when school meals are unavailable. More than $13,000 has been raised for the program since the Turkey Bowl started in 2023.
Community support makes it possible
The annual fundraiser is made possible through the generosity of local businesses and community partners.
This year's Super Fan Sponsors include The Garcia Companies and Engineering Services Network (ESN).
Gear Sponsors include Krazy Trompos, the Tidewater Striders and Fuddruckers, while DC Fresh Eats and Scooters Chicken are supporting the event as tailgate sponsors/food trucks. The Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations and the Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission are our “Extra Point” sponsors.
The event will also feature a 50/50 raffle, with half of the proceeds going to the winner and the other half benefiting the Beach Bags program. Raffle tickets are $5 each, three for $10 or six for $20. The winning ticket will be drawn at halftime, and the winner does not need to be present to win.
Event Details
What: Sheriff Rocky Holcomb's 4th Annual Turkey Bowl
When: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026
Where: Salem High School, 1993 Sundevil Drive, Virginia Beach
Doors open: 6 p.m.
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Admission: $5 per ticket; $4 each when purchasing 10 or more
Beneficiary: Virginia Beach Education Foundation's Beach Bags program
Residents are encouraged to bring their families, friends and team spirit for an evening of friendly competition that benefits children throughout Virginia Beach.
"Whether you're cheering for Team Public Safety or Team Education, the real winners are the students who benefit from the Beach Bags program," Holcomb said.
About the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office
The Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office is committed to public safety, professional service and meaningful community partnerships. Through initiatives such as the annual Turkey Bowl, the Sheriff's Office works with local organizations to support families and strengthen the Virginia Beach community. The VBSO
operates the Virginia Beach Correctional Center, provides courthouse and courtroom security, serves civil process papers and supports community engagement initiatives throughout the City of Virginia Beach.
About the VBEF’s Beach Bags program
The Virginia Beach Education Foundation's Beach Bags program helps combat food insecurity among Virginia Beach City Public Schools students by providing nutritious, shelf-stable meals and snacks to children who might otherwise go hungry during weekends, school holidays and summer breaks. Established in 2009, the community-supported initiative has distributed more than 235,000 bags to local students, with approximately 45,000 bags provided annually. Each bag contains easy-to-prepare meals and snacks, such as cereal, milk, fruit cups and other nonperishable foods. The program relies entirely on monetary donations, food contributions and volunteers from local businesses, organizations and community members to ensure students have access to food when school meals are unavailable.
Media contact: Public Information Officer Toni Guagenti at tguagenti@vbso.net , 757-385-8446 or 757-373-5012.