A friendly food drive competition between local governments collected 11,268 pounds of food for ECHO Food Bank, which will be distributed to families in need in San Juan County, New Mexico.
The city of Aztec, city of Bloomfield, city of Farmington and San Juan County competed in the annual ECHO Food Drive Challenge.
To keep the competition fair, the amount of food collected is converted into a per-employee weight.
The city of Bloomfield was presented with the coveted Mr. Potato Head trophy for the second consecutive year. Bloomfield employees collected 26.46 pounds of food per employee.
Results for the participating governments included:
Bloomfield collected 1,773 pounds, totaling 26.46 pounds per employee with 67 employees.San Juan County collected 5,965 pounds, totaling 9.08 pounds per employee with 657 employees.Aztec collected 520 pounds of food, totaling 6.34 pounds per employee with 82 employees.Farmington collected 3,010 pounds, totaling 4.2 pounds per employee with 717 employees. “Thank you to San Juan County, city of Aztec, city of Farmington and city of Bloomfield for coming together to collect food and cash donations to feed hungry neighbors in our community,” said Nanette Pinckney, CEO of the Economic Council Helping Others Inc.
The Food Drive Challenge brings in more food than any other food drive for ECHO Food Bank. During the last 11 years, municipalities have collected more than 86 tons of food.
“The generosity of your municipalities and respective employees is greatly appreciated, and your giving hearts allow ECHO Inc. to provide the food we do,” Pinckney said. “Congratulations to the city of Bloomfield for winning this year’s Mr. Potato Head award. Thank you all for helping us help others.”
ECHO Food Bank is always accepting donations, especially soups, stews, ravioli, SpaghettiOs, items that are complete meals/main dishes, canned meats and holiday meal items.
Donations may be dropped off at 401 S. Commercial Ave. in Farmington.
For more information about needed items, visit www.EchoInc.org.