This holiday season, the North Dakota State Auditor’s Office challenged state agencies to a food collection competition for the second year in a row. Eleven state agencies competed to collect food for the Bismarck Emergency Food Pantry and Ministry on the Margins.
Emily Dalzell, Communications Director for the State Auditor’s Office, says together they collected more than 6,000 food items.
"It's fun because we divide up every state agency, we take their total, and then we divide it by the number of people in their agency, so it makes it an even challenge if you're an agency of 700 or if you're an agency of 12. You still get divided by just that one. So, it's a fun way we can include everyone and it's a fair challenge for all different agencies."
This year’s winner was the Office of the Governor, which collected around 2,500 items.
"You know, the primary goal, while we talk about it being a contest, is knowing that it's going to people that really need it. It's about being a part of the community and giving back where we can."